Trustless Systems
Plain English
Systems where you don’t need to trust other people or companies - the code and mathematics guarantee things work correctly. Like a vending machine: you don’t need to trust the machine operator, just that the machine works as designed.
Technical
Systems designed to operate correctly without requiring trust in specific parties or intermediaries. Trustlessness is achieved through cryptographic proofs, transparent code, and economic incentives rather than institutional reputation. While no system is completely trustless, blockchain protocols minimize required trust assumptions through verifiable mechanisms.