Definition ∞ An emergency measure in the context of digital assets refers to a temporary, extraordinary action taken by a protocol, platform, or governing body to address an immediate and severe threat. These actions are typically implemented to prevent further financial loss, mitigate a security exploit, or restore system stability during critical incidents. Such measures often involve overriding standard operating procedures or temporarily halting certain functionalities. Their deployment aims to protect users and preserve network integrity.
Context ∞ Emergency measures frequently appear in crypto news, often following major security breaches, protocol failures, or extreme market volatility. Reports detail the specifics of these interventions, their effectiveness, and the subsequent recovery efforts. The discussion often concerns the trade-off between rapid response and the principles of decentralization and immutability. Debates arise regarding the legitimacy and transparency of entities capable of enacting such profound changes.