A Game Theoretic Analysis of Validator Strategies in Ethereum 2.0

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Chen, Chien-Chih, Golab, Wojciech
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2024
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author Chen, Chien-Chih
Golab, Wojciech
author_facet Chen, Chien-Chih
Golab, Wojciech
contents Ethereum 2.0 is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and a widely used smart contract platform. Therefore, examining the reliability of Ethereum 2.0's incentive mechanism is crucial, particularly its effectiveness in encouraging validators to adhere to the Ethereum 2.0's protocol. This paper studies the incentive mechanism of Ethereum 2.0 and evaluates its robustness by analyzing the interaction between block proposers and attesters in a single slot. To this end, we use Bayesian games to model the strategies of block proposers and attesters and calculate their expected utilities. Our results demonstrate that the Ethereum 2.0 incentive mechanism is incentive-compatible and promotes cooperation among validators. We prove that a Bayesian Nash equilibrium and an ex ante dominant strategy exist between the block proposer and attesters in a single slot. Our research provides a solid foundation for further analysis of Ethereum 2.0's incentive mechanism and insights for individuals considering participation as a validator in Ethereum 2.0.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2405_03357
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A Game Theoretic Analysis of Validator Strategies in Ethereum 2.0
Chen, Chien-Chih
Golab, Wojciech
Computer Science and Game Theory
91A27
C.2.4; G.3
Ethereum 2.0 is the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization and a widely used smart contract platform. Therefore, examining the reliability of Ethereum 2.0's incentive mechanism is crucial, particularly its effectiveness in encouraging validators to adhere to the Ethereum 2.0's protocol. This paper studies the incentive mechanism of Ethereum 2.0 and evaluates its robustness by analyzing the interaction between block proposers and attesters in a single slot. To this end, we use Bayesian games to model the strategies of block proposers and attesters and calculate their expected utilities. Our results demonstrate that the Ethereum 2.0 incentive mechanism is incentive-compatible and promotes cooperation among validators. We prove that a Bayesian Nash equilibrium and an ex ante dominant strategy exist between the block proposer and attesters in a single slot. Our research provides a solid foundation for further analysis of Ethereum 2.0's incentive mechanism and insights for individuals considering participation as a validator in Ethereum 2.0.
title A Game Theoretic Analysis of Validator Strategies in Ethereum 2.0
topic Computer Science and Game Theory
91A27
C.2.4; G.3
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.03357