Linear Scaling Bottleneck

Definition ∞ A linear scaling bottleneck describes a limitation in a system’s ability to increase its processing capacity or throughput proportionally with the addition of resources, often due to a fundamental architectural constraint. This means that adding more nodes or computational power does not lead to a corresponding linear increase in performance. In blockchain networks, this typically refers to issues where transaction processing cannot keep pace with growing demand without compromising decentralization or security. It restricts the system’s growth potential.
Context ∞ The linear scaling bottleneck is a persistent challenge in many first-generation blockchain protocols, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum, leading to high transaction fees and slow confirmation times during periods of network congestion. Solutions like sharding, layer-2 protocols, and alternative consensus mechanisms are actively being developed to overcome this limitation. The ongoing pursuit of scalable yet decentralized architectures remains a primary focus for the future development of high-performance digital asset systems.