Polymesh Glossary

When one user or entity on-chain pretends to be multiple users or entities to gain more control of the network, usually to revise transaction history and indulge in double spending. Sybil attacks pose a problem for a blockchain’s security since the blockchain relies on consensus. Theoretically, a single attacker can compromise consensus by controlling 51% of the network (known as a ‘51% attack’). Consensus mechanisms are Sybil resistance mechanisms, designed to counter such attacks and keep authoring nodes behaving honestly through economic deterrents. Identity on Polymesh is also a Sybil resistance mechanism since it prevents tokenholders from holding assets under multiple identities.

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