🧱 Modular Blockchain: Unbundle the Stack
Learn how Celestia separates consensus, execution, and data availability
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0 / 5 completedWhat is Modular Blockchain?
**Modular blockchain** is an architectural paradigm that separates core blockchain functions—consensus, data availability, execution, and settlement—into independent, specialized layers. Instead of forcing every node to do everything (monolithic), each layer focuses on one task and does it exceptionally well.
This separation of concerns enables **unprecedented scalability**: execution layers (rollups) can process 100,000+ TPS while inheriting security from consensus layers like Ethereum or Celestia. The result is a flexible, composable blockchain stack.
🏗️ Four Core Blockchain Functions
Interactive: Monolithic vs Modular Comparison
Compare the two fundamental blockchain architecture paradigms.
Monolithic Blockchain
All functions (consensus, execution, data availability, settlement) in one layer
- •Simple design
- •Tight integration
- •Atomic composability
- •Limited scalability
- •Resource constraints
- •Upgrade complexity
The Scalability Trilemma
Traditional blockchains face an impossible tradeoff: optimize for **decentralization**, **security**, and **scalability**—pick two. Modular architecture breaks this trilemma by separating concerns.
🌐 Decentralization
Many independent nodes validate and participate
🛡️ Security
Resistant to attacks, censorship, and manipulation
⚡ Scalability
High throughput and low transaction costs