Partial Decentralization

Definition ∞ Partial Decentralization describes a system that incorporates elements of decentralized control and operation while retaining some centralized components or decision-making. This approach seeks to balance the benefits of decentralization, such as censorship resistance and transparency, with the efficiencies or practicalities offered by centralization. It represents a common stage in the evolution of many blockchain projects. This design choice often aims for pragmatic scalability.
Context ∞ Partial Decentralization is a frequent topic in cryptocurrency news, particularly when discussing the trade-offs between pure decentralization and operational efficiency or regulatory compliance. Debates often address the extent of centralized influence and its implications for network security and user autonomy. Many layer-2 solutions and early-stage blockchain protocols currently operate under this model, aiming for progressive decentralization over time.