Written by Pablo Gómez
Founder & CEO at Metlabs · Reviewed on October 11, 2026
A smart contract processes inputs and changes network state under deterministic execution rules. On Ethereum, the EVM performs this work and consumes gas. A contract normally needs an account or another contract to invoke it; it does not wake up by itself when a date arrives.
Deployed code may be difficult to replace, but a proxy can delegate execution to an upgradeable implementation. Administrators may also pause operations or change parameters. Available bytecode does not mean the source code is published and verified.
Smart contracts automate processes without a person performing each step. They retain dependencies such as administrative keys, oracles and interfaces. Tests and audits assess specific risks; they do not guarantee defect-free code or legal enforceability.
