Ask HN: Can a decentralised network be as fast as its centralised counterpart?

(or even faster).

I really like the value proposition that decentralisation brings, but I have trouble visualising how it can replace incumbent centralised services in terms of speed (ignoring moderation or governance issues that come with lack of centralised authority)

Imagine a P2P version of Tor/onion routing. Can it ever be as efficient as the centralised version? There seem to be so many extra connections that it can't possibly get to a similar level of performance.

Just an example, open to discussing other decentralised examples.

What are your thoughts?