Layer 2 Throughput

Definition ∞ Layer 2 throughput quantifies the number of transactions a secondary scaling solution built on top of a base blockchain can process within a given time frame. These solutions, such as rollups or state channels, aim to increase transaction capacity and reduce fees compared to the main chain. Higher Layer 2 throughput is essential for supporting widespread adoption of decentralized applications.
Context ∞ The current focus in Layer 2 development is on maximizing throughput while maintaining the security and decentralization guarantees of the underlying Layer 1 blockchain. Debates frequently center on the trade-offs between different scaling architectures and their ability to handle a growing volume of transactions. Future advancements are anticipated to significantly increase the transaction processing capabilities of Layer 2 networks, enabling more complex and data-intensive decentralized applications.