The article discusses hidden centralization issues in blockchain technology across different layers.
In terms of Hardware, centralization around specialized hardware has been documented, with a lack of academic research on mining hardware usage in real-world systems.
Evaluation of centralization in virtual hardware hosting and incentivizing hosting diversity is recommended for future research.
Regarding Software, there is a lack of formal analyses on the usage of full-node ledger software, indicating centralization tendencies.
Some blockchain projects show varying levels of centralization in software management, with a notable concentration of contributions from a few individuals.
The article highlights the need for further investigation into wealth decentralization in cryptocurrencies and the challenges posed by their pseudonymous nature.
Cryptocurrency economics, such as initial token distribution and ownership, exhibit high degrees of wealth concentration in certain systems.
Centralization issues extend to network topology, with Bitcoin and Ethereum showcasing varying degrees of centralization in their P2P networks.
Consensus mechanisms in blockchain systems, like mining pools and committee-based approaches, also show centralization concerns.
Governance issues, including development funding and conflict resolution mechanisms, reveal centralization tendencies in decision-making processes.