Decentralisation, a core principle of blockchain technology, is challenging to quantify due to its multifaceted nature. To tackle this, a new approach has been proposed that considers three dimensions: architectural, political, and logical.
Architectural decentralisation looks at the number of physical computers that make up the system, with a higher number indicating more decentralisation. Political decentralisation considers the number of individuals or organisations that control those computers. Lastly, logical decentralisation pertains to the interface and data structure of the system, with a fully decentralised system appearing as a single, indivisible unit.
However, these dimensions often conflict. For example, increasing architectural decentralisation can lead to less political decentralisation as fewer people can afford to run a node.
In the context of blockchain, Bitcoin and Ethereum are architecturally and politically decentralised but logically centralised. This logical centralisation could be a potential vulnerability.
For the future, the challenge lies in designing systems that offer the benefits of decentralisation without compromising on usability, performance, and security.
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