@bolv
Scalability drives blockchain growth. Layer‑1 sharding (Cosmos, Polkadot) splits state for higher throughput but adds complexity. Layer‑2 rollups bundle many off‑chain transactions, posting proofs to the mainnet for instant fees and speed while keeping Layer‑1 security. Sidechains trade decentralization for custom consensus, suiting niche projects. Choose the trade‑off that fits your risk appetite.