Bitcoin_101: The blockchain trilemma fairytale Read on m…

steffenkd ·

Bitcoin_101: The blockchain trilemma fairytale

Read on my blog:
https://steffenkd.de/articles/bitcoin/the_blockchain_trilemma_fairytale/

Read onchain:
https://ordinals.gorillapool.io/content/343db0853846585132fe9059a94a8aa4b6321bcb8b247cf3da5f2cbb7b1770c1

Read here on treechat, without pictures though:
author: steffenkd
date: 04.06.2026
wordcount: ~ 3750
reading time: ~ 30 minutes
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The blockchain trilemma fairytale
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TLDR/Summary:
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Trilemma somehow has a negative connotation.
It somehow implies, that there is a problem which has to be fixed.
This assumption is based on a false premise.
You simply have three variables, namely decentralization, security and scalability which can be balanced out against each other, like in mathematics.
This is how you solve mathematical equations.
And the same concept of variables being balanced out against each other due to infinite feedback-loops and co-dependencies can be found all over nature.
It is called balance and is not negative at all.
Additionally on small-block-BTC we are not talking about an equation with three variables but with only two variables.
Namely decentralization and security, since the variable blocksize is a frozen constant at 1 MB (one Megabyte).
Which would make it a blockchain dilemma (duos, duo, di, dos, two).
There are only two variables left, because on small-block-BTC the originally variable blocksize, which was set to 1MB as a temporary [SPAM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spamming) and [DDOS](https://www.slictionary.com/definitions/ddos/402cad5d0665ab63deb935c28565e5db876ed780e401e1741b17b5f1633b077d) protection got converted into a frozen constant of 1MB (4MB blockweight).
They sacrificed scalability for decentralization and security, which leaves small-block-BTC with just two variables, namely decentralization and security.
So we are not talking about a problem (dilemma or trilemma), but just about an equation with several variables.
And on small-block-BTC only two variables are left, because the blocksize was converted into a constant of 1MB.
Therefore the term "blockchain trilemma" is just [Orwellian Newspeak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspeak) to artificially create a problem which never existed in the first place.
On the original Big Block Bitcoin, those three variables are still variable and can be balanced out against each other.
Therefore it scales and can match the demand for transactions with a corresponding supply like free markets always do.
The same way a marathon runner can run a marathon because his heart rate is variable, adapts to the stimuli and supplies the demanded heart rate increase.
If you want a more detailed version with some pictures, analogies and explanations, keep on reading.
A classical meme to visualize what happened:
![bike_meme](/home/lucidebris/ipara/0-vaults/bsv_blogposts_3dordi/images/blockchain_trilemma_pics/bike_fall_meme_bitcoin.jpg)
Picture: the bike represents the original bitcoin protocol, while the stick represents the artificially and arbitrarily introduced blocksize limit.
The temporary blocksize limit wasn't removed as the demand for transactions rose.
No [law of demand and supply](https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/030415/who-discovered-law-supply-and-demand.asp) possible.
Bitcoin - there never was a blockchain trilemma
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The so called [blockchain-trilemma](https://pintu-academy.pintukripto.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ENG-The-Scalability-trilema-Trilema-Blockchain-1024x576.png) is often visually represented by an equilateral triangle with the three points and sides "decentralization", "security" and "scalability".
This triangle analogy was introduced by [Zoko Wilcox O'Hearn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooko's_triangle) and Vitalik Buterin and the three points of the triangle had different names.
![blockchain_trilemma](/home/lucidebris/ipara/0-vaults/bsv_blogposts_3dordi/images/blockchain_trilemma_pics/blockchain_trilemma_triangle.svg)
Picture: The so called blockchain trilemma, visualized as an equilateral triangle with three variables.
Normally it is said, that you can only pick two variables.
But this is a fallacy.
You can pick all three.
Trilemma or self balancing equation?
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There never was a trilemma in the first place.
The triangle is just a visual analogy for an equation with three variables and the solution to the equation is quite simple.
It is a basic principle which can be found all over nature and which is being applied in mathematics as well.
It is called "balance".
So it is not a trilemma but just an equation with three variables, which can be balanced out against each other.
It would be similar to call the human body with the linkage between blood pressure, stroke-volume, heart rate and the resulting overall performance a trilemma.
Which isn't a trilemma at all.
It is just natures universal concept of balance at work.
But of course you ca…