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Atomic Swaps

Definition

An atomic swap enables the direct exchange of cryptocurrencies across different blockchains without a central party. This peer-to-peer transaction mechanism employs Hash Time-Locked Contracts, guaranteeing either both participants receive their respective assets or neither does. The protocol ensures simultaneous execution, thereby effectively mitigating counterparty risk inherent in traditional exchanges. Such swaps represent a significant advancement for decentralized asset transfer capabilities.