<p>The time lock mechanism in uncooperative channel closes exists to create a dispute period during which the other party (or a watchtower on its behalf) can publish the &quot;penalty transaction&quot; and claim all channel funds for itself.</p>
<p>In contrast, a cooperative close already has agreement from both parties on the latest channel state, and so it's final once the closing transaction confirms (which takes 10 minutes on average, though it's better to wait for a few confirmations to happen).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-07-28T23:49:45.543Z
2022-07-28T23:49:45.543Z
Vojtěch Strnad
<p>Unlike Force Close mechanism, where there is a time lock, making settlement to take time, Does mutual closing channel funds settlement takes long time or funds are settled between channel partners instantly?</p>

<lightning-network><lightning-network-daemon><channels>
Does the payment for both parties are settled instantly in Lightning Network
Arjun Reddy
# Does the payment for both parties are settled instantly in Lightning Network

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-07-28)

Unlike Force Close mechanism, where there is a time lock, making settlement to take time, Does mutual closing channel funds settlement takes long time or funds are settled between channel partners instantly?

**Tags:** lightning-network, lightning-network-daemon, channels


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-07-28. Score: 1

The time lock mechanism in uncooperative channel closes exists to create a dispute period during which the other party (or a watchtower on its behalf) can publish the "penalty transaction" and claim all channel funds for itself.

In contrast, a cooperative close already has agreement from both parties on the latest channel state, and so it's final once the closing transaction confirms (which takes 10 minutes on average, though it's better to wait for a few confirmations to happen).


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