Network Synchronization

The ongoing process by which all nodes in a blockchain network update their copies of the blockchain to ensure they all hold the same, most current version. When a new block is created or verified by a node, it broadcasts the block to neighboring nodes. Nodes adopt chains based on specific criteria that vary by consensus mechanism—for example, PoW networks adopt the longest chain with the most computational work, while PoS networks follow the chain with the most stake-weighted attestation votes.