Definition ∞ Threshold decryption is a cryptographic technique where a ciphertext can only be decrypted if a predetermined number of participants, exceeding a specific threshold, cooperate by combining their partial decryption keys. No single participant or group below the threshold can decrypt the data alone. This method distributes trust and enhances security by eliminating single points of failure. It ensures collective control over sensitive information.
Context ∞ Threshold decryption is a critical primitive for enhancing the security and decentralization of various blockchain applications, including confidential transactions, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and secure multi-party computation. It addresses the challenge of key management and data access control in environments where trust is distributed. Developments aim to improve the efficiency and robustness of these schemes for wider adoption.
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