Trust Networks

Definition ∞ Trust networks are systems where participants rely on the verified reputation or direct connections of other entities to establish credibility. In a decentralized context, these networks can leverage cryptographic proofs and social attestations to assess trustworthiness without a central authority. They facilitate secure interactions by propagating confidence among users. The objective is to reduce reliance on centralized intermediaries.
Context ∞ Trust networks are often discussed in crypto news concerning decentralized identity, reputation systems, and Web3 social applications. Reports might cover protocols aiming to build verifiable credentials or social graphs that establish user credibility. The debate involves the challenges of creating robust and sybil-resistant trust metrics in open, permissionless environments. Future developments focus on integrating these networks to enhance security and user experience across various decentralized services.