Consensus refers to the agreement or shared decision-making process among participants in a digital asset network. It is a crucial mechanism that ensures the validity and consistency of transactions and the overall state of the network. In blockchain, there is no central authority, and achieving consensus is essential for maintaining trust and preventing fraudulent activities.

Validators or miners are typically participants in the network who compete in solving complex mathematical problems to approve transactions, and the first one to solve the problem is rewarded with new tokens and transaction fees.
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Consensus allows different nodes in the network to reach a common understanding of the order and integrity of transactions, enabling a reliable and transparent digital asset system. The reward/punishment system of consensus is typically based on the principles of cryptography and mathematics. It relies on the economic incentives provided to participants in the network to encourage desirable behavior and discourage malicious actions. Consensus mechanisms vary depending on the blockchain network, with popular ones including Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS).