US Patent 11403281 Parallel blockchain processing

Methods and systems are described for validating a block in a blockchain. The methods may include identifying a subset of nodes in a blockchain network as trusted nodes. The trusted nodes perform a voting process to validate a block for the blockchain, whereas those nodes that are not identified as trusted nodes may not engage in the validation process. The trusted nodes may be identified based on past participation in the blockchain, stake in the blockchain, based on an organization operating the node, or other factors. In some cases the trusted nodes may be grouped into one or more voting quorums, and quorum management software may direct the validation process.