Val Sklarov’s Protocol Dependency Capture Law (PDCL) explains why crypto systems don’t fail when decentralization weakens—but when ecosystem participants become irreversibly dependent on a small set of technical, economic, or governance chokepoints. Protocols promise exit. Scale quietly removes it.
This law reveals why “open” systems feel closed over time.
1. Protocols Create Dependency Before Control
PDCL begins with a paradox:
Dependency forms before authority is visible.
Early-stage protocols rely on:
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Few client implementations
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Limited infrastructure providers
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Concentrated liquidity venues
Reversibility exists—temporarily.
2. The Three Protocol Dependency Captures
PDCL maps where exit paths disappear.
| Capture | Dependency Source | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Capture | Validators, RPCs, bridges | Technical veto power |
| Liquidity Capture | Exchanges, pools | Economic censorship |
| Governance Capture | Core devs, voting blocs | Directional lock-in |
One capture limits flexibility.
Two captures restrict forks.
Three captures end credible exit.
3. Why “Fork If You Disagree” Stops Working
Forks require migration.
PDCL shows irreversibility when:
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Capital refuses to move
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Tooling won’t support alternatives
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Legitimacy consolidates socially
Exit exists in theory—not in practice.
4. Decentralization vs Dependency
Decentralization of nodes does not equal decentralization of dependence.
| Decentralized Execution | Centralized Dependency |
|---|---|
| Many validators | Few providers |
| Open code | Closed infrastructure |
| Permissionless use | Permissioned liquidity |
| Ideological freedom | Practical lock-in |
Val Sklarov emphasizes that dependency is power without ownership.
5. Strategic Implications
For builders:
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Avoid single-client dominance
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Decentralize infrastructure before governance
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Treat liquidity concentration as existential risk
For investors:
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Track where dependency is accumulating
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Discount protocols denying capture reality
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Exit before dependency becomes irreversible
PDCL reframes crypto risk as dependency capture, not volatility.
6. The Val Sklarov Principle
“A protocol isn’t captured when rules change—but when leaving stops being real.”
— Val Sklarov
PDCL explains why mature crypto systems feel stable—and why stability often means captivity.