An account tracks the balance(s) and transactions history of a data source. In the context of a distributed ledger, it relies on a set of keys and addresses provided by its vault.

For multi-address ledger protocols, accounts may generate and track multiple separate addresses transparently. For multi-currency protocols, a single account may have multiple balances corresponding to each respective asset owned by the account.

An account ensures the quarantine of all incoming transfers, such that their release is suject to a formal policy. It also manages balance reserves to ensure fully approved transaction orders become executable with little delay.

The locking of an account prevents the execution of any transaction order related to the specific account, as well as the release of quarantined incoming transfers.