What happens if two miners in different parts of the world discover a valid block at almost the exact same second?
A temporary split (fork) occurs. Some nodes see Block A first, while others see Block B first.
📏 The Longest Chain Rule
Satoshi designed a simple rule: Always follow the chain with the most cumulative Proof of Work.
As soon as the next miner finds a new block extending one of the chains, that chain becomes longer. All nodes automatically switch to the longer chain, and the shorter branch is abandoned.
🧠 Today's Key Takeaway
- Temporary forks occur when miners solve blocks simultaneously.
- Consensus is automatically maintained by trusting the chain with the most work.
