WebAssembly Contracts

Definition ∞ WebAssembly Contracts are smart contracts written in languages that compile to WebAssembly (Wasm), a binary instruction format designed for efficient execution in web browsers and other environments. This approach allows developers to write smart contracts in various programming languages, offering greater flexibility and potentially higher performance than traditional domain-specific languages. Wasm provides a secure, sandboxed execution environment for on-chain logic. It enhances developer experience and execution efficiency.
Context ∞ WebAssembly Contracts represent a significant technological advancement in blockchain development, frequently highlighted in news for their potential to broaden the pool of smart contract developers and improve execution speed. Projects like Polkadot, Near, and others are actively leveraging Wasm to support more complex and performant decentralized applications. The adoption of Wasm as a common runtime for smart contracts could standardize development and facilitate cross-chain compatibility.