GlossaryAdvanced
Consensus Layer
The part of Ethereum's post-Merge architecture responsible for validator coordination, block proposal, and finality under Proof of Stake.
The consensus layer is the part of Ethereum's architecture responsible for coordinating validators, proposing and attesting to blocks, and achieving finality under Proof of Stake — the direct successor to the original Beacon Chain (see Kaavon's "Beacon Chain" glossary definition).
The consensus layer works together with the execution layer (see Kaavon's "Execution Layer" glossary definition), which handles actual transaction processing and smart contract execution, as two cooperating halves of Ethereum's overall post-Merge architecture.
Examples
- Validator coordination and block finality happen on Ethereum's consensus layer, not its execution layer.
- The consensus layer is the direct architectural successor to the original Beacon Chain, following the Merge.