Off-Chain Payload Delivery

Definition ∞ Off-chain payload delivery refers to the process of transmitting data associated with a blockchain transaction through a separate network or storage system, rather than directly recording it on the main chain. This approach is used to enhance scalability, reduce transaction fees, and improve privacy by keeping large or sensitive data off the public ledger. Only a cryptographic reference to the off-chain data is stored on the blockchain.
Context ∞ A key discussion surrounding off-chain payload delivery involves balancing the benefits of scalability and cost reduction with the potential trade-offs in data availability and censorship resistance. Solutions like IPFS, Arweave, and various layer-2 protocols are actively being utilized and refined for this purpose. The future evolution of decentralized applications often relies on efficient and secure off-chain data management.