> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.theblockchainlibrary.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Consensus Layer

> The blockchain component responsible for agreement on block ordering, validity, and finality among distributed participants.

# Consensus Layer

The blockchain component responsible for agreement on block ordering, validity, and finality among distributed participants.

## Definition

The blockchain component responsible for agreement on block ordering, validity, and finality among distributed participants.

## Why it matters

Architecture determines how blockchain components divide responsibility for execution, consensus, settlement, and data.

## Related knowledge

* [Blockchain](/categories/blockchain) — term
* [Cryptography](/categories/cryptography) — term
* [Web3](/categories/web3) — term

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**Canonical knowledge ID:** `glossary:consensus-layer`