Censorship (Blockchain)

In blockchain networks, censorship is the deliberate exclusion or delay of valid transactions, or of transactions from particular addresses or users, by those who control part of the system. It most often refers to block producers or miners refusing to include transactions in blocks, for example to comply with sanctions lists. It can also happen at other points: front-end websites that block users, wallet providers, stablecoin issuers that freeze tokens, or exchanges that refuse withdrawals. A single censoring producer usually only delays a transaction, because another will include it later; the risk grows when a large share of producers or infrastructure acts together. The opposite property is described in Censorship Resistance. Also see Stablecoin Freezing and Mempool.