The Blockchain Trilemma: A Formal Proof of the Inherent Trade-Offs Among Decentralization, Security, and Scalability
Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative force with the potential to disrupt traditional industries by providing decentralized, secure, and transparent systems. However, blockchain systems face a fundamental challenge known as the Blockchain Trilemma, which posits that a blockchain cann...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/19 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1841549512674377728 |
|---|---|
| author | Souhail Mssassi Anas Abou El Kalam |
| author_facet | Souhail Mssassi Anas Abou El Kalam |
| author_sort | Souhail Mssassi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative force with the potential to disrupt traditional industries by providing decentralized, secure, and transparent systems. However, blockchain systems face a fundamental challenge known as the Blockchain Trilemma, which posits that a blockchain cannot simultaneously achieve optimal levels of decentralization, security, and scalability. This paper addresses the Blockchain Trilemma through rigorous mathematical proof, demonstrating that achieving maximum levels of all three properties concurrently leads to inherent contradictions. By formalizing the definitions of decentralization, security, and scalability, we provide a foundational framework to understand these trade-offs. Our analysis includes a proof by contradiction and computational complexity analysis. This work aims to deepen the understanding of the fundamental limitations of blockchain technology, offering insights for future innovations and helping navigate the inevitable trade-offs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78fef71ade734fa28135bccd612c65ae |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-78fef71ade734fa28135bccd612c65ae2025-01-10T13:14:10ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-011511910.3390/app15010019The Blockchain Trilemma: A Formal Proof of the Inherent Trade-Offs Among Decentralization, Security, and ScalabilitySouhail Mssassi0Anas Abou El Kalam1National School of Applied Sciences, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40160, MoroccoNational School of Applied Sciences, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40160, MoroccoBlockchain technology has emerged as a transformative force with the potential to disrupt traditional industries by providing decentralized, secure, and transparent systems. However, blockchain systems face a fundamental challenge known as the Blockchain Trilemma, which posits that a blockchain cannot simultaneously achieve optimal levels of decentralization, security, and scalability. This paper addresses the Blockchain Trilemma through rigorous mathematical proof, demonstrating that achieving maximum levels of all three properties concurrently leads to inherent contradictions. By formalizing the definitions of decentralization, security, and scalability, we provide a foundational framework to understand these trade-offs. Our analysis includes a proof by contradiction and computational complexity analysis. This work aims to deepen the understanding of the fundamental limitations of blockchain technology, offering insights for future innovations and helping navigate the inevitable trade-offs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/19Blockchain Trilemmadecentralizationscalabilitysecuritycomputational complexityconsensus algorithms |
| spellingShingle | Souhail Mssassi Anas Abou El Kalam The Blockchain Trilemma: A Formal Proof of the Inherent Trade-Offs Among Decentralization, Security, and Scalability Applied Sciences Blockchain Trilemma decentralization scalability security computational complexity consensus algorithms |
| title | The Blockchain Trilemma: A Formal Proof of the Inherent Trade-Offs Among Decentralization, Security, and Scalability |
| title_full | The Blockchain Trilemma: A Formal Proof of the Inherent Trade-Offs Among Decentralization, Security, and Scalability |
| title_fullStr | The Blockchain Trilemma: A Formal Proof of the Inherent Trade-Offs Among Decentralization, Security, and Scalability |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Blockchain Trilemma: A Formal Proof of the Inherent Trade-Offs Among Decentralization, Security, and Scalability |
| title_short | The Blockchain Trilemma: A Formal Proof of the Inherent Trade-Offs Among Decentralization, Security, and Scalability |
| title_sort | blockchain trilemma a formal proof of the inherent trade offs among decentralization security and scalability |
| topic | Blockchain Trilemma decentralization scalability security computational complexity consensus algorithms |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/19 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT souhailmssassi theblockchaintrilemmaaformalproofoftheinherenttradeoffsamongdecentralizationsecurityandscalability AT anasabouelkalam theblockchaintrilemmaaformalproofoftheinherenttradeoffsamongdecentralizationsecurityandscalability AT souhailmssassi blockchaintrilemmaaformalproofoftheinherenttradeoffsamongdecentralizationsecurityandscalability AT anasabouelkalam blockchaintrilemmaaformalproofoftheinherenttradeoffsamongdecentralizationsecurityandscalability |