Technology · Beginner lesson · about 6 minutes
Smart contracts
Programs that can control on-chain assets under code-defined rules.
The short answer
A smart contract can hold assets and execute instructions on a blockchain. It cannot understand intent, fix a bad design, or prove that the surrounding product is honest.
In plain English
A smart contract can hold assets and execute instructions on a blockchain. It cannot understand intent, fix a bad design, or prove that the surrounding product is honest.
This lesson belongs to the technology cluster. The details differ by network and service, so use the linked sources and the project’s own documentation when a decision depends on current behavior.
What can go wrong
Read this before you act.
Bugs, upgrade keys, malicious approvals, oracle failures, and copied contracts can move or lock assets.
Check your understanding
A few questions. Not a test.
Choose an answer to see why it is right or wrong. Nothing is locked behind a score.
Sources and corrections
This lesson is a starting point. When details matter, read the official pages we link below, and tell us if something needs a correction.