Decentralized System

Definition ∞ A decentralized system operates without a single controlling authority. In such a system, control and decision-making are distributed across multiple participants or nodes, preventing any one entity from dictating operations or censoring transactions. This architecture enhances resilience and security by removing single points of failure, making it highly relevant to blockchain technology and distributed ledgers. Participants collectively validate and maintain the system’s integrity.
Context ∞ The concept of decentralized systems is central to understanding blockchain technology and its applications, frequently discussed in news related to network security and governance models. A key debate involves balancing true decentralization with scalability and efficiency, often necessitating trade-offs in protocol design. Future developments will likely focus on improving interoperability and user accessibility within these distributed frameworks.