Checkpointing
Also known as: Blockchain Checkpoint, Finality Checkpoint
A method of finalizing blockchain state snapshots to improve sync efficiency and trust.
Checkpointing is the process of marking certain blocks or states as finalized reference points in a blockchain. These checkpoints allow new or light clients to sync from a trusted, recent state instead of replaying the entire transaction history. Commonly used in Proof-of-Stake networks, checkpointing enhances synchronization speed, ensures consistency, and supports light clients without compromising decentralization—if implemented properly. It may be manual or automated and is often used in tandem with economic finality.