Definition
A system or network where control, data, and decision-making are distributed across many participants rather than concentrated in a single entity. Decentralization is a core principle of blockchain technology.
Why It Matters
Decentralization removes single points of failure and censorship. It's what makes Bitcoin resistant to government seizure and Ethereum resistant to shutdown.
Example
No single company owns or operates the Bitcoin network. Thousands of independently operated nodes worldwide make it decentralized and censorship-resistant.
Related Terms
Blockchain
Node
Consensus
Decentralization