How to Solve the Scalability Problem of Blockchain: A Comprehensive Discussion from Technical Approaches to Application Scenarios

June 06, 2025

As an emerging decentralized data management technology, blockchain has received widespread application and attention in recent years. However, the accompanying scalability issue has become one of the major challenges in its development process. Scalability refers to the system's ability to effectively expand when faced with increasing user demands and transaction volumes. This paper will delve into the scalability issues of blockchain, analyze the main current technical solutions, and, combined with real-world cases, demonstrate its performance in different application scenarios.

1. Definition of the Blockchain Scalability Problem

In the blockchain ecosystem, the scalability of the network directly affects its transaction speed, processing capacity, and user experience. Simply put, the scalability issues of blockchain are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

Transaction Throughput (Throughput)Refers to the number of transactions a network can process within a specific period of time. Currently, many blockchains (such as Bitcoin) have a relatively low number of transactions processed per second (TPS), which limits their performance in large-scale applications.

LatencyRefers to the time from the initiation to the confirmation of a transaction. High latency can lead to a decline in user experience, especially in application scenarios that require rapid confirmation.

Network effectsWith the increase in the number of users, transaction congestion will reduce the network's availability, thereby affecting users' enthusiasm for participation.

2. Factors Affecting Non-Scalability

How to Solve the Scalability Problem of Blockchain: A Comprehensive Discussion from Technical Approaches to Application Scenarios

The design of blockchain technology aims to achieve decentralization and security. However, these advantages directly conflict with scalability. The main factors include:

Block size limitThe block size of a blockchain network determines the number of transactions that can be included in each block. Currently, most mainstream blockchains have a fixed block size, such as Bitcoin's 1MB limit, which results in significantly increased transaction confirmation times once the network becomes congested.

The efficiency of the consensus mechanismDifferent consensus algorithms affect the speed and security of transaction confirmation. Proof of Work (PoW), while secure, is less efficient when handling a large number of transactions.

Data propagation mechanismIn decentralized networks, transaction and block information needs to be propagated among all nodes. As the number of nodes increases, issues with data propagation delay and efficiency become increasingly severe.

3. Technical Approaches to Solving Scalability

To address scalability issues, blockchain developers and researchers have proposed a variety of technical solutions. The following approaches have demonstrated significant effectiveness in practical applications and have become the main paths for solving scalability challenges.

Hierarchical Expansion Plan

Layered scaling improves blockchain transaction capacity by dividing transaction processing into two distinct layers. The base layer is responsible for data security and consensus, while the second layer focuses on fast transaction processing.

(1) Lightning NetworkThis solution is mainly used for Bitcoin. By establishing payment channels on top of the base chain, it allows users to conduct fast, low-fee transactions with each other. Users can perform multiple transactions within the Lightning Network, and only the final result is written to the blockchain, thereby reducing the network load.

Increase block size

Increasing block size is a direct way to enhance transaction throughput. By raising the block size, more transactions can be processed within a single block, alleviating congestion.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH)Bitcoin Cash greatly increased the number of transactions per second by expanding the block size from 1MB to 8MB.

Adopt a more efficient consensus mechanism

Improving the efficiency of consensus mechanisms is another important way to enhance blockchain scalability. Compared to PoW, some other consensus mechanisms can confirm transactions more quickly.

(1) Proof of Stake (PoS)In different blockchain projects, the adoption of the PoS mechanism, such as Ethereum 2.0, allows the determination of block packagers based on the amount of tokens held, thereby improving the speed and efficiency of transaction processing.

State Channels and Off-Chain Execution

State channels allow users to conduct multiple transactions off-chain, with only the final result being written to the blockchain when necessary. This approach not only reduces the volume of on-chain transactions but also increases transaction speed.

Ethereum State ChannelsEthereum supports developers in building state channels, allowing for fast transactions and low-fee interactions.

Sharding technology

Sharding is a method of improving scalability by dividing the blockchain network into multiple shards. Each shard can independently process specific transactions, enabling parallel processing and reducing the burden on a single chain.

Sharding technology of Ethereum 2.0Future upgrade plans for Ethereum will include sharding technology, which is expected to significantly increase the network's throughput.

4. Practical Application Cases of Scalable Solutions

Bitcoin Lightning Network

Since its launch, Bitcoin's Lightning Network has greatly improved the user transaction experience. Through this network, users can complete transactions almost instantly without bearing high transaction fees. The successful application of the Lightning Network has encouraged more developers to focus on Layer 2 scaling solutions.

Ethereum State Channels

Ethereum's state channels enable decentralized applications (dApps) built on its platform to complete multiple transactions quickly and at extremely low cost. Some games, such as CryptoKitties, utilize state channels to achieve fast transactions, preventing congestion issues caused by excessive on-chain transactions.

Polkadot's cross-chain technology

Polkadot, through its cross-chain concept, enables interaction and data exchange between different blockchains, significantly enhancing the scalability of independent blockchains. Each independent chain can process its own transactions and interact with others via Polkadot's relay chain, achieving data sharing.

5. Future Development Directions

In the process of addressing the scalability issues of blockchain, technological development and innovation will be indispensable. The following are possible future directions:

Standardization of technologyWith the widespread adoption of blockchain applications, industry standardization will help enhance interoperability between different blockchains and achieve efficient allocation of resources.

Enhance user experienceFuture blockchain solutions should not only focus on technological improvements but also emphasize user experience, attracting more users through fast transaction confirmation times and low fees.

Green blockchain technologyWith increasing attention to environmental protection, future blockchains will maintain efficient scalability while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Regulatory and Compliance FrameworkThe resolution of scalability issues also requires coordination at the regulatory and policy levels in order to provide safeguards for the healthy development of various blockchain projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is blockchain scalability?

Blockchain scalability refers to the system's ability to maintain efficient operation when faced with gradually increasing transaction volumes and user demands.

What problems can poor blockchain scalability cause?

Poor scalability can lead to slow transaction speeds, increased fees, and a poor user experience, thereby hindering the widespread adoption of blockchain.

How can the transaction throughput of a blockchain be improved?

Transaction throughput can be improved through various methods such as increasing block size, adopting more efficient consensus mechanisms, implementing layered scaling, and utilizing state channels.

Which blockchain projects have successfully solved the scalability problem?

Solutions such as the Lightning Network and state channels for Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as Polkadot's cross-chain technology, are all relatively successful examples.

What are the future trends in blockchain scalability?

The future development of blockchain scalability will focus on technological standardization, enhancement of user experience, application of green technologies, and the establishment of compliance frameworks.

Through in-depth exploration and analysis of the scalability issues of blockchain, it can be found that although there are many challenges, with continuous technological advancements and the gradual maturation of solutions, the scalability problem of blockchain is expected to be effectively improved in the future.