Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) is a property of a system that enables it to continue operating correctly even when some of its components fail or act maliciously. In decentralized networks, achieving consensus among participants is crucial, especially when dealing with untrustworthy actors.

In this context, BFT algorithms allow nodes to agree on the state of the network, ensuring that no single party can manipulate the system. This is important for maintaining the integrity and security of the network. BFT mechanisms typically require a majority of nodes to reach an agreement, which helps to mitigate the impact of any faulty or malicious nodes.

Various BFT models exist, such as Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) and Tendermint, each with different strengths and weaknesses in terms of performance and scalability. Overall, BFT is essential for ensuring that decentralized systems remain functional and secure, even in the presence of adversarial conditions. It helps to build trust among participants by ensuring that the network can withstand faults and bad actors.