Scaling Trilemma

Definition ∞ The scaling trilemma posits that a decentralized system can only achieve two of three properties—decentralization, security, and scalability—at any given time, inherently sacrificing one for the others. This concept describes a fundamental trade-off in blockchain design. It guides the development of various scaling solutions.
Context ∞ The scaling trilemma is a foundational concept frequently referenced in discussions about blockchain architecture and layer-2 solutions. Current efforts, such as sharding and rollups, aim to circumvent the limitations of the trilemma by offloading computation or data storage, thereby striving to achieve all three properties without compromise.