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Locking vs. Burning Tokens: What's the Difference?
Locking holds tokens until an unlock time (recoverable by the owner later); burning destroys them permanently. Learn when to lock and when to burn LP or tokens.
Locking and burning are two different ways to reduce what a team can do with tokens. Locking holds tokens in a contract until an unlock time, after which the owner can retrieve them — it's time-bound and reversible after unlock. Burning sends tokens to an unrecoverable address, destroying them forever — it's permanent and irreversible.
| Lock | Burn | |
|---|---|---|
| Reversible | Yes, after the unlock time | No, ever |
| Best for | Team tokens, treasury, temporary liquidity commitment | Permanently removing supply or liquidity |
| Signal to buyers | Cannot move until date X | Gone for good |
| Recover later | Owner withdraws after unlock | Never |
Many projects lock liquidity for a fixed term (e.g. to reassure early buyers while retaining flexibility), while some burn a portion of LP for a permanent guarantee. Titan Locker handles the locking side, with a public certificate for each lock.