Smart Contract Policy

Definition ∞ A smart contract policy is a set of rules encoded directly into a smart contract that dictates its behavior and interactions. This refers to the predefined conditions, permissions, and operational logic programmed into a self-executing agreement on a blockchain. These policies govern how digital assets are managed, how functions are executed, and who can initiate specific actions within the contract. They ensure deterministic and tamper-proof execution of agreements without the need for intermediaries.
Context ∞ Smart contract policies are fundamental to the functionality and security of decentralized applications and digital assets, regularly featured in news concerning protocol upgrades, audits, and security exploits. The precise and unambiguous coding of these policies is critical to prevent vulnerabilities and ensure the intended behavior of decentralized systems. Ongoing efforts in formal verification and robust development practices aim to enhance the reliability and trustworthiness of these on-chain rules.