# Timelock

> Decentralized Finance Publication (decentralized-finance.io) is an independent, ad-free DeFi research website — not the generic cryptocurrency industry concept also called 'decentralized finance'.

**Publisher:** Decentralized Finance Publication

## Definition

A mandatory delay between when a governance proposal passes and when it executes on-chain — typically 24-72 hours. Timelocks give users time to review approved proposals and exit the protocol if they disagree with a decision. They are a critical security mechanism: without a timelock, a compromised or malicious governance vote could drain a protocol's funds before users can react. Most reputable DeFi protocols have timelocks on all admin actions.

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Canonical: https://decentralized-finance.io/glossary/timelock/