Definition ∞ Non-uniform trust refers to a system where different participants possess varying levels of trust or authority within the network. Instead of assuming all nodes are equally trustworthy or equally capable of malicious behavior, some entities might be granted elevated roles or have greater influence. This design deviates from purely permissionless models by acknowledging differentiated roles and responsibilities. Such systems might optimize for efficiency or specific security properties.
Context ∞ Discussions around non-uniform trust often arise in the context of permissioned blockchains or hybrid decentralized systems seeking to balance decentralization with practical control. News reports might analyze how certain enterprise blockchain solutions or federated networks apply this concept for specific use cases. The debate frequently involves the trade-offs between security assumptions, performance gains, and the degree of centralization introduced.