How it works
Proof-of-work networks often rely on growing confirmation depth, whereas some proof-of-stake systems provide explicit finality rules.
What to check
Check the receiving service's required confirmation count and the network's consensus design. Larger transfers may justify more conservative confirmation policies.
- Know the network's finality model
- Check service confirmation requirements
- Distinguish seen from settled
Limits and risks
A transaction appearing in a wallet does not always mean it is economically final. Chain reorganizations, validator failures or application-level holds can still matter.
Primary sources
Bitcoin Developer Reference↗Ethereum developer documentation↗FATF: Virtual Assets↗General information only. Investment products can lose value, and terms, fees and regulation can change.