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.
Context ∞ Time-lock commitments find various applications in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, particularly in protocols requiring delayed access to funds, scheduled data releases, or conditional transaction execution. News may discuss their use in decentralized autonomous organization governance for voting mechanisms, or in creating trustless escrows and payment channels. This cryptographic tool enhances the predictability and security of time-sensitive operations within decentralized networks.
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