Cloud Infrastructure

Definition ∞ Cloud infrastructure comprises the hardware and software resources necessary for cloud computing services. This includes servers, storage, networking equipment, and virtualization software, all accessible over the internet as a service. It provides scalable, on-demand computing capabilities, removing the need for organizations to manage physical data centers. In the digital asset sector, cloud infrastructure supports the operation of exchanges, mining pools, and decentralized application (dApp) backends.
Context ∞ The current discussion surrounding cloud infrastructure in crypto addresses concerns about centralization risks and potential points of failure for decentralized applications. A key debate involves balancing the convenience and scalability of cloud services with the core tenets of decentralization. Future developments may see increased adoption of decentralized cloud solutions and hybrid models that combine traditional cloud with blockchain-based storage and computation.