Definition ∞ Hardware Requirement Reduction refers to efforts aimed at decreasing the computational power, storage capacity, or network bandwidth needed to participate in a blockchain network. This objective seeks to lower the barrier to entry for running nodes and verifying transactions. It promotes broader accessibility and helps counteract centralization pressures that arise from expensive, specialized hardware.
Context ∞ This is a key area of development for scaling solutions and light client architectures, enabling more users to run full nodes or verify network state with minimal resources. It helps to preserve and enhance the decentralization of networks by allowing a wider range of participants to contribute to security and validation. Innovations here are crucial for widespread adoption.