the term “shared sequencers” refers to a scenario where multiple sequencers are used in a blockchain system.
instead of relying on a single sequencer, the responsibility of ordering and batching transactions is distributed among multiple sequencers.
why?
- decentralization: having multiple shared sequencers reduces the reliance on a single entity, increasing the overall decentralization of the system.
- fault tolerance: if one sequencer fails or becomes unavailable, other shared sequencers can continue to order and batch transactions, providing fault tolerance and redundancy.
- load balancing: the transaction workload can be distributed across multiple shared sequencers, improving the system’s scalability and throughput.
- trust distribution: by involving multiple parties or entities as shared sequencers, the trust assumption is distributed, reducing the risk of a single point of failure or centralized control.
shared sequencers are often used in blockchain architectures that aim to achieve high transaction throughput while maintaining decentralization and fault tolerance.
however, the specific implementation and coordination mechanisms among shared sequencers can vary depending on the blockchain design and consensus protocols used.