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Time-Lock Commitment

Definition

A time-lock commitment is a cryptographic technique where a secret value is sealed, becoming revealable only after a predetermined time period or specific condition is met. This mechanism involves a party committing to a secret value in a way that prevents its immediate disclosure but guarantees its eventual release at a future point. The commitment typically uses cryptographic hashes or specialized smart contracts to ensure that the secret cannot be accessed prematurely or altered after the commitment is made. It provides a verifiable way to schedule the release of information or the execution of an action.