decentalized

Decentralized is a term used to describe systems in which authority, control, or data are distributed across multiple nodes rather than being concentrated in a single central authority. In practice, "decentralized" is the standard spelling in American English, while "decentralised" is common in British English. The form "decentalized" is rare and generally considered a misspelling or typographical variant of "decentralized." When encountered, it typically intends the same concept of distributed governance or operation.

In technology, decentralization refers to networks that operate without a single point of trust or control. Participants run independent nodes, validate transactions, or store data, contributing to redundancy and resilience. Notable examples include blockchain networks (such as Bitcoin and Ethereum), peer-to-peer file systems, and distributed databases. In governance and organization, decentralization describes distributing decision rights and resources to local units, communities, or autonomous teams, potentially supported by open standards and collaborative governance processes.

Advantages of decentralization include resilience to failures and censorship, improved transparency, and broader participation in decision-making. Potential drawbacks include higher coordination costs, slower decision-making, risk of fragmentation, and challenges in achieving consistent security or standards. Degrees of decentralization exist on a spectrum—from fully decentralized systems to federated or hybrid models—each with trade-offs that affect performance, governance, and accountability.