Clear DefinitionsSlashing
1 min read
Pronunciation
[slash-ing]
Analogy
Slashing is like docking pay for a worker who violates safety rules—it penalizes bad actors to maintain overall system integrity.
Definition
A punitive mechanism in proof-of-stake and other consensus protocols that confiscates a portion of a participant’s stake for misbehavior or downtime.
Key Points Intro
Slashing protects networks via:
Key Points
Misbehavior detection: Double-signing, equivocation, or invalid proposals.
Downtime penalty: Failing to participate in required attestations.
Stake confiscation: Partial or full loss of bonded tokens.
Deterrence: Discourages attacks and enforces validator reliability.
Example
Technical Deep Dive
When a slashable offense is detected, a proof of misbehavior is submitted on-chain. The slashing contract reduces the offender’s balance by a defined percentage and redistributes a portion to the reporter. The validator is ejected and must re‑stake afresh after the unbonding period.
Security Warning
False or malicious slash reports can harm honest validators; many protocols require cryptographic evidence and a waiting period before slashing executes.
Caveat
Overly aggressive slashing parameters can reduce network participation; parameters must balance security and availability.
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