Proof-of-Stake
Proof-of-Stake is a consensus mechanism where the probability of being chosen to validate a block is proportional to the amount of cryptocurrency a participant holds and is willing to stake. Unlike Proof-of-Work, which relies on computational power, Proof-of-Stake uses economic capital to secure the network.
Participants lock their tokens in a smart contract, effectively becoming validators who earn rewards for maintaining the ledger. This model is significantly more energy-efficient and allows for different approaches to governance and scalability.
It creates a direct economic link between the participants and the network's security. If validators act dishonestly, they risk losing their staked capital through slashing.
Proof-of-Stake has become the dominant consensus model for modern smart contract platforms.