Tendermint

Tendermint is a modular blockchain software stack consisting of two primary components: Tendermint Core, a Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT) consensus engine, and the Application Blockchain Interface (ABCI), a generic standard for connecting consensus to application logic. This architecture allows developers to build custom blockchains without implementing consensus from scratch, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for blockchain development. Tendermint uses a delegated proof-of-stake model where validators propose and commit blocks in rounds, achieving high transaction finality while maintaining security through Byzantine fault tolerance. Example: Cosmos SDK, the framework powering the Cosmos ecosystem, is built on top of Tendermint Core, enabling chains like the Cosmos Hub, Osmosis, and Evmos to leverage battle-tested consensus without reimplementing it themselves. Why it matters for blockchain infrastructure: Tendermint democratizes blockchain creation by separating consensus from application logic, enabling faster development cycles and reducing technical risks. This modular approach accelerated the growth of application-specific blockchains within the Cosmos ecosystem.

Category: infrastructure applications, blockchain technology

Explore the full Web3 Glossary — 2,062+ expert-curated definitions. Need guidance? Talk to our consultants.