Slashing is a penalty mechanism in Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks. It punishes validators for malicious actions by forcibly removing a portion of their staked capital.
Why it matters on AGON
AGON operates on Base, an Ethereum L2. The security of your funds and the finality of your bets depend entirely on Ethereum's PoS consensus. Slashing is the core economic deterrent that secures this consensus. It ensures validators have massive skin in the game.
Unlike Proof-of-Work where attacks cost energy, PoS attacks cost capital. Slashing is what makes that capital cost real and painful. It prevents a validator from trying to re-order blocks or censor transactions, which could otherwise compromise market resolution or your USDC deposits. This mechanism is a key reason your settled bets on /markets are immutable.
How to apply
You don't apply slashing as an AGON user. You benefit from its existence. Understanding the triggers shows why the underlying network is robust.
The primary slashable offenses are technical attacks that threaten consensus:
- Double-signing: A validator signs two different blocks for the same slot.
- Surround voting: A validator makes an attestation that contradicts the chain's history.
The consequence is severe. The validator loses a portion of their staked ETH (typically ≥1 ETH) and is forcibly ejected from the active set. The penalty can increase dramatically if many validators commit offenses at once. This economic backstop provides a strong guarantee that your on-chain activity on AGON is secure.
See also
eth-staking · validator · mev · sandwich-attack
Trading prediction markets involves risk. Not financial advice.