Ronin on a mix of Proof of Authority (PoA) and Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) to gradually become more decentralized with more PoA and less of DPoS.

​
Consensus mechanism

​
Initial setup: Proof of Authority (PoA)

Ronin initially employed PoA where transactions are verified by pre-selected validators, providing fast but centrally controlled validation.

​
Transition to Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS)

To advance decentralization, Ronin has integrated DPoS, allowing token holders to delegate their stakes to validators, enhancing the democratic and decentralized validation process.

​
DPoS features:

  • Validator selection: Validators are chosen through token holder votes, increasing their stakes and potential to be selected as validators.
  • Validator roles: Consists of Governing Validators (selected through PoA) and Standard Validators (chosen through DPoS by token stake).
  • Block production: Validators take turns producing blocks, maintaining elements of PoA for continuity.

​
Validator dynamics

  • 22 Validator slots: 12 are Governing Validators, and 10 are open to any qualifying Standard Validators.
  • Daily updates: Validator stakes are updated daily, with the top 10 by stake becoming Standard Validators.
  • Delegation: Token holders can delegate stakes to influence validator selection.

​
Staking and rewards

  • Token: RON.
  • Minimum stake: 250,000 RON to become a Validator Candidate.
  • Reward distribution: Validators earn rewards from transaction fees and a portion of the staking rewards, distributed daily via smart contracts.

​
Security measures

  • Clone attack prevention: Requires a supermajority to confirm transactions, minimizing the risk of block height duplication attacks.
  • Slashing mechanisms: Penalties for validators engaged in malicious activities, enhancing network integrity.

​
Governance and operations

  • Bridge operators: Manage asset transfers between Ronin and other EVM-compatible chains, with specific rewards and penalties.
  • Maintenance and unavailability: Systems in place for maintenance modes and slashing for non-performance, ensuring operational continuity.

​
Final remarks

Ronin’s hybrid consensus approach, combining PoA and DPoS, aims to balance efficiency with increased decentralization, reflecting the evolving landscape of blockchain governance.