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Off-Chain Risk

Definition

Off-chain risk refers to security or operational hazards associated with activities occurring outside a blockchain’s main ledger. These risks often stem from reliance on centralized entities, such as custodial exchanges or oracle services, or from vulnerabilities in layer-2 scaling solutions like payment channels. Unlike on-chain risks, which relate to protocol design, off-chain risks involve external factors that can compromise digital assets or data integrity without directly altering the blockchain itself. Mitigation strategies frequently involve robust third-party audits, clear legal frameworks, and advanced cryptographic commitments.