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On-Chain Settlement

Definition

On-chain settlement is the process of finalizing a transaction directly on a blockchain network. This means that the transfer of assets and the confirmation of the trade occur and are recorded immutably on the distributed ledger. Unlike off-chain settlement, which relies on intermediaries, on-chain settlement offers greater transparency and security, though it can sometimes involve higher transaction fees and slower confirmation times depending on the network’s load. It is a core function of many blockchain protocols.