Hashed Timelock Contracts (HTLCs) are an essential tool for enabling secure and trustless transactions between two users on a decentralised network. A HTLC is essentially a two-party smart contract with an enforced time lock, which reduces the risk of any one of the involved parties reneging on their commitment.

The use of a HTLC provides a secure and trustless payment framework. In order to successfully complete their transaction, both users need to meet the predetermined conditions of the HTLC. The primary user initiates the payment, typically via a blockchain transaction. The HTLC also contains a cryptographic hash, and the recipient has to reach out to the primary user in order to receive the payment. The primary user then typically provides a payment secret, or passphrase, which confirms a successful transfer of the payment. This system allows for payments to occur without relying on a third-party escrow service.

HTLCs are particularly useful for payments that need to be completed within a precise, predetermined timeframe. The smart contract in the HTLC will automatically return any transaction funds to the payer if the recipient does not provide their payment confirmation within the allotted time. This eliminates the risk of a payer sending out money and the recipient not returning it.

HTLCs are rapidly becoming an essential tool for implementing fast, secure, and trustless blockchain-based payments. The Lightning Network, an off-chain solution for Bitcoin, uses HTLCs to verify payments along a payment channel. This effectively allows users to transact with one another instantly and securely, without having to wait for payments to confirm on the blockchain.

In summary, Hashed Timelock Contracts are a significant development for efficient and secure blockchain based payments. HTLCs are useful for reducing counterparty risk in decentralized smart contracts and providing fast payments that require no third-party escrow services. The Lightning Network, one of the most popular blockchain payment networks, uses HTLCs to enable secure and trustless transactions between its users. HTLCs can also facilitate timely payments, as they allow the user to set a pre-determined period of time before the payment is automatically returned. This makes them an essential tool for the future of secure and trustless blockchain-based payments.