External System Failure

Definition ∞ External System Failure denotes a malfunction or outage in a component or service operating outside the primary system that significantly impacts its functionality. This includes dependencies such as data feeds, payment gateways, or network infrastructure not directly controlled by the main protocol. Such failures can disrupt operations, cause data inconsistencies, or lead to service unavailability. It highlights the interconnectedness of modern digital systems.
Context ∞ Within the digital asset ecosystem, External System Failure can severely affect decentralized applications relying on external data sources or traditional financial rails. A key discussion involves mitigating these risks through decentralized oracle networks and redundant infrastructure. A critical future development focuses on building more resilient and independent blockchain systems.