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Asymmetric encryption is best at scaling for larger cryptographic systems due to its unique properties that facilitate secure communications and key distribution without the need for a pre-shared secret. In asymmetric encryption, a pair of keys—a public key and a private key—are used. The public key can be distributed widely, allowing anyone to encrypt messages for the key's owner, while the private key remains securely with the owner to decrypt those messages.

This scalability is particularly beneficial in environments where there are many users needing to securely exchange information with one another. For example, if each user in a large system had to share a unique key for symmetric encryption, managing and securely distributing those keys would become increasingly complex as the number of users grows. Asymmetric encryption mitigates this issue, simplifying the key management process.

Additionally, asymmetric encryption is inherently suited for establishing secure connections over the internet, such as in SSL/TLS protocols that are foundational for secure web communications. Its ability to work with digital signatures also aids in ensuring integrity and authenticity, further enhancing its utility in expansive environments.

While symmetric encryption is generally faster and more efficient for encryption and decryption of large volumes of data, it does not scale as well for larger systems since each pair of users needs to securely exchange and