The core of blockchain technology lies in the consensus mechanism, which determines how distributed networks reach agreement and ensure the validity and security of transactions. Satoshi Nakamoto's consensus (PoW) and BFT-style Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus are two fundamentally different consensus mechanisms, with fundamental differences in design philosophy, mathematical models, and emergent characteristics, leading to three major defects in BFT PoS consensus.
1. Thermodynamic Work and Entropy-Increasing Systems:
Satoshi Nakamoto Consensus (PoW):
The PoW mechanism requires miners to perform a large amount of computational power operations, consuming electricity; this process is essentially thermodynamic work.
This energy consumption transforms physical energy from the real world into security guarantees for the digital world, thus injecting real costs into the blockchain network.
Through the transformation of energy, the Bitcoin system interacts with the external physical world, making it not a closed entropy-increasing system.
BFT PoS Consensus:
BFT PoS consensus relies on pre-selected validators to reach consensus through signing and voting.
It lacks the physical energy consumption of PoW, making it a relatively closed system.
Theoretically, a system that lacks energy interaction with the external world is an entropy-increasing system. From an information perspective, without interaction with the external world, information will become increasingly disordered and chaotic.
This closed nature may lead to system vulnerabilities, such as susceptibility to Sybil attacks and long-term validator corruption.
2. Individual Competition and Centralized Communication:
Satoshi Nakamoto Consensus (PoW):
The PoW mechanism encourages miners to compete freely; each miner is an independent entity competing for bookkeeping rights through computational power.
This decentralized competition makes the security of the network rely on the computational power of the entire network rather than the trust of a few nodes.
Through the competition of proof of work, a synchronized and orderly result in the form of blockchain is ultimately formed.
BFT PoS Consensus:
BFT PoS consensus relies on pre-selected validators for centralized communication, requiring frequent information exchange among validators to reach consensus.
This centralized communication model may lead to issues such as single points of failure and Sybil attacks, thereby reducing the security of the network.
The pre-selected validating nodes are inherently unequal in terms of power, which does not align with Satoshi Nakamoto's idea of decentralization.
3. Nonlinear Dynamics and Linear Superposition:
Satoshi Nakamoto Consensus (PoW):
The PoW mechanism is essentially a nonlinear dynamic system, where there is a nonlinear relationship between miners' computational power investment and network security.
The overall security of the network is greater than the simple sum of individual miners' computational power, which is a typical emergence phenomenon.
This nonlinear competition leads to unpredictable results, but it possesses strong robustness and adaptability to the environment. This is also the great charm of Satoshi's consensus.
BFT PoS Consensus:
BFT PoS consensus is a linear system, where there is a linear relationship between the power of validators and the performance of the network.
The overall capability of the network can be precisely predicted, lacking the emergent characteristics of PoW.
This linear result is a precisely controllable and predictable system, but it lacks the capacity for self-evolution, thus reducing its value vitality.
Conclusion:
Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin consensus mechanism achieves a perfect combination of decentralization, security, and censorship resistance through exquisite nonlinear design. BFT PoS consensus may sacrifice the degree of decentralization and emergence capability of the network while pursuing efficiency and certainty.
