> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.invast.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.invast.io/chainvast-testnet-in-progress/consensus-mechanism-snowman++.md).

# Consensus Mechanism - Snowman++

Testnet will be live soon.

INVAST uses a custom Snowman++ based L1 with the following features:

* **Leaderless**: No single validator is responsible for block proposals, reducing attack vectors.
* **High throughput**: Can handle thousands of transactions per second (TPS), with sub-second finality.
* **Byzantine Fault Tolerant (BFT)**: Secure even if up to 1/3 of validators are malicious or offline.
* **Finality in under 2 seconds** (often under 1 second on performant subnets)
* **Validators gossip about transaction acceptance probabilities**, updating iteratively until consensus is reached.

This  approach enables **fast and secure transactions** while keeping energy use low. It also prevents centralization and protects against malicious attacks by applying **public blockchain security checks,** ensuring a fair and reliable system.