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Asymmetric encryption, while highly secure, does come with certain limitations. One of the notable disadvantages is slower performance. This is due to the mathematical complexity involved in the encryption and decryption processes of asymmetric algorithms, which generally require more computational resources than symmetric encryption. As a result, operations such as encrypting large amounts of data or generating keys take longer, making asymmetric encryption less efficient for scenarios that require high-speed processing or real-time communication.

In contrast, faster processing speed is a characteristic of symmetric encryption, where the encryption and decryption use the same key and simpler algorithms, leading to quicker operations. High key distribution complexity could also be a downside, but it's more of an overarching issue relating to the management of keys rather than a direct performance factor. Additionally, requiring symmetric keys doesn't apply to asymmetric systems, as the essence of asymmetric encryption is the use of a pair of keys (public and private) rather than a shared symmetric key.