Can a Time-Lock Be Bypassed in an Emergency Situation?
Typically, no, a time-lock cannot be bypassed, as its delay is a core security feature enforced by the contract code. However, some protocols implement a separate, highly-secured "emergency stop" function, often controlled by a very small, trusted group (like a Security Council), which can pause critical functions but cannot execute an immediate upgrade.
Glossar
Core Security Feature
Cryptography ⎊ Cryptography forms the foundational core security feature of blockchain technology, ensuring data integrity and user authentication through public-key infrastructure.
Emergency Stop Function
Intervention ⎊ Within cryptocurrency derivatives and options trading, an Emergency Stop Function (ESF) represents a pre-programmed mechanism designed to curtail trading activity or halt positions in response to predefined risk thresholds or anomalous market conditions.
Emergency Stop
Control ⎊ An Emergency Stop, often referred to as a circuit breaker or pause function, is a critical, pre-coded administrative control embedded within a smart contract for a crypto derivatives protocol.