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Architecture

Explore Polkadot's architecture, including the relay chain, parachains, and system chains, and discover the role each component plays in the broader ecosystem.

A Brief Look at Polkadot’s Chain Ecosystem

The following provides a brief overview of the role of each chain:

  • Polkadot chain - the central hub and main chain responsible for the overall security, consensus, and interoperability between all connected chains

  • System chains - specialized chains that provide essential services to the ecosystem, like the Asset Hub, Bridge Hub, and Coretime chain

  • Parachains - individual, specialized blockchains that run parallel to the relay chain and are connected to it

Learn more about these components by checking out the articles in this section.

In This Section

Polkadot Chain

Explore the relay chain’s role in Polkadot, providing shared security, consensus, and enabling agile coretime for parachains to purchase blockspace on-demand.

System Chains

Discover the unique role and functionality each of Polkadot’s system chains, including the Asset Hub, Bridge Hub, and Coretime chain, provides to the ecosystem.

Parachains

Explore how parachains achieve consensus and leverage shared security through Polkadot’s relay chain and validators within the network’s architecture.