Storage Capacity

Definition ∞ Storage Capacity refers to the total volume of data that a system or device can retain. This metric quantifies the maximum amount of digital information that can be stored within a particular medium, such as a blockchain ledger, a decentralized storage network, or a physical hard drive. It directly influences the amount of historical data, transaction records, or application-specific information a system can preserve. Adequate storage capacity is essential for data persistence and accessibility.
Context ∞ In blockchain technology, storage capacity is a critical factor influencing scalability and the ability of networks to retain historical transaction data and state information. Solutions like data availability layers and decentralized storage networks aim to augment the storage capabilities of mainnet blockchains. Debates frequently address the trade-offs between on-chain data storage and more distributed, off-chain alternatives for efficiency.