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Centralized Risk

Definition

Centralized risk describes vulnerabilities inherent in systems where control or data processing resides with a single entity or a small group. In the digital asset space, this typically applies to exchanges, custodians, or protocols that rely on a central authority for operations, security, or governance. Such concentration creates single points of failure, making the system susceptible to operational disruptions, security breaches, or malicious actions by the controlling party. The potential for censorship, data manipulation, or service denial increases proportionally with the degree of centralization.