Orphaned Block Rates

Orphaned block rates measure the frequency at which valid blocks are produced but ultimately excluded from the canonical chain. This usually happens when two or more miners or validators find a block at nearly the same time, leading to a temporary fork.

High orphan rates indicate poor network propagation speed or consensus issues, which can degrade the security and performance of the system. In the context of derivatives, high orphan rates can cause confusion and settlement delays, as the "official" state of the chain is in flux.

Reducing orphan rates is a key metric for measuring the success of gossip protocol optimizations and consensus efficiency. A low rate is essential for maintaining a stable and reliable environment for complex financial transactions.