Definition ∞ Agent Cardinality refers to the total count of active participants within a decentralized network or system. This quantity of independent entities contributes to the network’s operational capacity. It influences aspects such as decentralization, security, and consensus mechanism resilience. A higher cardinality often correlates with a more robust and distributed system.
Context ∞ Discussions around agent cardinality are prevalent in evaluations of blockchain network health and decentralization claims. Analysts frequently assess this metric when considering the resilience of proof-of-stake validators or the distribution of mining power. Monitoring changes in agent cardinality provides insight into the long-term stability and security posture of digital asset protocols.