Proof-of-Inactivity: A Low-Energy Trust Protocol for Sustainable Blockchain Participation

Abstract

Traditional blockchain protocols incentivize constant participation through resource-intensive mechanisms such as Proof-of-Work (PoW) or Proof-of-Stake (PoS). However, this model leads to excessive energy consumption and network redundancy. This paper proposes a novel consensus auxiliary protocol called Proof-of-Inactivity (PoI), wherein nodes earn trust by deliberately abstaining from consensus activities for defined, randomized periods. Inactivity is cryptographically proven via time-locked commitments and publicly verifiable absence proofs. This paradigm aims to reduce redundant communication, lower energy usage, and support lightweight node participation without compromising network integrity. The protocol is introduced alongside a security assessment, performance analysis, and possible energy savings based on simulated scenarios, including conversations about DIDs, zero-knowledge mechanism, hybrid consensus, and adaptability.