Trust Topology

Definition ∞ Trust topology refers to the structural arrangement of trust relationships within a decentralized network or system. It describes how different participants rely on each other or on cryptographic assurances to validate information and execute operations. This can range from highly distributed trust in public blockchains to more centralized trust in permissioned networks, impacting the system’s security, resilience, and decentralization properties.
Context ∞ News articles analyzing the security and decentralization of various blockchain projects frequently refer to their underlying trust topology. The discussion often involves the trade-offs between different trust models, such as those relying on proof-of-work versus proof-of-stake, and their implications for network governance and attack resistance. Future developments aim to refine trust topologies to achieve optimal balances between security, scalability, and decentralization.