This episode explores smart contracts, digital agreements that automatically execute when predefined conditions are met. Traditional contracts rely on legal systems, intermediaries, and institutions such as banks, lawyers, or courts to enforce agreements. Smart contracts replace much of this process with software code, allowing transactions and obligations to be carried out automatically without human intervention.

First proposed by computer scientist Nick Szabo in the 1990s, the concept became practical with the emergence of blockchain technology, especially platforms like Ethereum. Smart contracts run on decentralized networks where the code and transaction records are transparent and tamper-resistant. Once deployed, the contract executes exactly as programmed, transferring assets, paymen ...