Delegated proof of stake, or DPoS, uses voting power tied to tokens or stake to select a group of block producers. These representatives perform scheduled consensus duties while other participants can verify whether blocks follow the network's rules.
From votes to producers
Eligible holders support candidates, and the protocol updates the active producer set according to its election rules. Producers assemble and sign blocks. Voters may change their support, but changes need not affect the active set immediately. TRON calls its elected producers Super Representatives; other networks use terms such as witnesses.
Delegation has different meanings
DPoS describes a producer-selection architecture. Delegating stake to a validator or using a staking service does not automatically make every proof-of-stake network a DPoS system. Voting weight, candidate requirements, reward sharing, penalties and withdrawal rules vary by implementation.
Participation and concentration
A limited producer group can simplify coordination and support frequent block production. It also makes the distribution of voting power and operator control important. Large holders, custodians, low turnout or cooperating producers may concentrate influence. The ability to vote out a producer is an accountability mechanism, not a guarantee against censorship, collusion or outages.