Definition
A slashing condition is a formally specified rule set within a proof-of-stake or similar consensus protocol that defines which validator behaviors are classified as slashable faults. It encodes the precise circumstances under which a validator’s stake, and often its associated delegations, become subject to punitive reduction, typically tied to protocol safety or liveness violations over defined time or epoch boundaries.
In Simple Terms
A slashing condition is a rule that says exactly when a validator has broken the protocol badly enough to lose some of its staked tokens. It lists the specific misbehaviors that trigger a penalty, so the network can automatically decide when to cut a validator’s stake.
Context and Usage
The term slashing condition is used in protocol specifications, client implementations, and formal analyses of proof-of-stake systems. It appears in discussions about validator responsibilities, security assumptions, and the design of economic penalties that protect consensus. Researchers and implementers reference slashing conditions when defining fault models, analyzing attack scenarios, or reasoning about validator behavior across epochs and delegation relationships.