GlossaryAdvanced
Monolithic Blockchain
A blockchain design that handles execution, consensus, and data availability all within a single layer.
A monolithic blockchain handles core functions — execution, consensus, and data availability — all within a single, integrated layer, rather than splitting them across specialized separate layers.
This is the traditional blockchain architecture historically used by most early networks, and remains a common design choice alongside more recently developed modular approaches.
Examples
- Bitcoin's base-layer design is commonly described as monolithic, handling core functions within one integrated chain.
- Monolithic and modular blockchain architectures represent two distinct design philosophies.