Skip to main content

Decentralized Escrow

Definition

Decentralized escrow is a system where digital assets are held by a smart contract rather than a third-party intermediary during a transaction. This arrangement ensures that funds are released only when predefined conditions are met, as verified by the blockchain itself or through decentralized oracle networks. It eliminates the need for trust in a central custodian, reducing counterparty risk and enhancing transaction security. This mechanism facilitates peer-to-peer exchanges without reliance on traditional financial institutions.