Trust Heterogeneity

Definition ∞ The variation in the level and type of trust required or placed in different participants or components within a decentralized system. This concept recognizes that not all entities in a network are equally trusted, and some require more scrutiny than others. It acknowledges that users may have differing trust assumptions based on their risk tolerance or technical understanding. Designing systems to account for this variation is essential.
Context ∞ Trust heterogeneity is a significant consideration in the design and adoption of decentralized applications, especially those involving multiple layers or external services. Debates often focus on how to build systems that function reliably despite varied trust assumptions among users and components. Future protocol designs aim to minimize required trust and provide transparent mechanisms for users to assess risks.