RANDAO
Ethereum's mechanism for generating pseudo-randomness used in validator selection, built from contributions many validators each add to collectively.
RANDAO is Ethereum's mechanism for generating the pseudo-randomness used in validator selection, built from a sequence of contributions that many different validators each add to collectively over time, rather than any single party controlling the final random output.
RANDAO is combined with Verifiable Delay Functions in Ethereum's broader randomness design specifically to limit the ability of the very last contributor in a given sequence to manipulate the final outcome by choosing whether to reveal their own contribution. See Kaavon's "Verifiable Random Function (VRF)" glossary definition for the related general concept.
Examples
- RANDAO builds Ethereum's validator-selection randomness from many validators' contributions combined together, rather than any single trusted source.
- RANDAO's design specifically addresses the risk that the last contributor in a sequence could manipulate the outcome by selectively withholding their contribution.