Definition ∞ An asynchronous system is a computational framework where operations proceed independently without requiring immediate, simultaneous completion or response. Components within such a system do not rely on a global clock or synchronized timing mechanisms for their execution. Instead, interactions occur through messages, allowing processes to run at their own pace, improving fault tolerance and responsiveness. This design facilitates parallel execution and enhances system throughput by avoiding bottlenecks associated with sequential processing.
Context ∞ Asynchronous systems are a fundamental architectural choice in many modern distributed ledgers and decentralized applications. Their relevance in crypto news often pertains to network scalability, transaction processing speeds, and consensus mechanism efficiency. Discussions frequently address the challenges of maintaining data consistency and order in the absence of synchronous operations, particularly in sharded blockchain designs.