# What a sequencer actually does, and what breaks when it stops

URL: https://www.caijing188.com/what-a-sequencer-does/
Published: 2026-10-20T06:09:39+08:00 | Updated: 2026-10-27T22:09:59+08:00
Verified: 2026-10-27

## Quick answer
A sequencer orders transactions and posts them to the base chain. When it stops, users cannot get included, but the state already settled is not lost. What you lose is time to exit, which is exactly what matters in a stress event.

## Summary
Ordering is not execution, and an outage is not a chain halt — but it is a liveness problem you should price before you size.

## Key takeaways
- Ask who operates the sequencer.
- Find the forced-inclusion route and its delay.
- Size positions against exit time, not entry time.

## FAQ
Q: Can my funds be lost if a sequencer goes down?
A: The settled state remains on the base chain. The risk is that you cannot submit a new transaction, including an exit, until inclusion resumes or a forced path is used.
Q: Is a decentralised sequencer safer?
A: It removes single-operator downtime but adds coordination and MEV questions. Neither design removes the exit delay.