Can an Immutable Smart Contract Be Deleted or Removed from the Blockchain?
No, a smart contract, once deployed, cannot be deleted or removed from the blockchain in the traditional sense. Its code and transaction history are part of the immutable distributed ledger.
However, some platforms, like Ethereum, have a SELFDESTRUCT opcode that can remove the code and storage from a contract's address, but the transaction history remains. This function is often used to deactivate a contract and send its remaining funds to a designated address.
Even after self-destruction, the contract's address and past transactions are permanently recorded on the blockchain.
Glossar
Immutable
Integrity ⎊ Immutable characteristics within cryptocurrency, options trading, and financial derivatives fundamentally address data veracity and tamper-resistance, crucial for trustless systems.
Immutable Smart Contract
Code ⎊ An immutable smart contract is a piece of code deployed on a blockchain that cannot be modified or upgraded once live.
Selfdestruct Opcode
Annihilation ⎊ The selfdestruct opcode, within the context of cryptocurrency derivatives and financial engineering, represents a pre-programmed function designed to irrevocably terminate a smart contract or tokenized asset.
Smart Contract
Code ⎊ The contract is fundamentally self-executing code deployed on a distributed ledger, embodying the terms of the agreement in an immutable format.