When you initiate a cryptocurrency transaction, you expect it to be promptly confirmed and added to the blockchain. However, there can be instances where your transaction experiences delays in confirmation.
Network Congestion
One of the primary factors that can cause transaction delays is network congestion. When the network is experiencing high transaction volumes, miners have a larger pool of transactions to process. As a result, it may take some time for your transaction to be included in a block and confirmed. During periods of intense network activity, such as during market volatility or popular events, delays are more likely to occur.
Insufficient Transaction Fees
Transaction fees incentivize miners to prioritize certain transactions. If you set a lower-than-average fee for your transaction, miners may prioritize other transactions with higher fees. This can result in your transaction waiting longer to be confirmed. To avoid delays, it's important to set an appropriate fee based on the network conditions at the time of your transaction.
Network Upgrades or Forks
During network upgrades or forks, such as a hard fork or a software update, transaction processing can be temporarily disrupted or slowed down. These events may introduce temporary delays in confirmations as the network undergoes changes. It's advisable to check for any known network upgrades or forks that might impact transaction processing during the time you initiated your transaction.
Note: Blockchain.com has a Customize Fee option that allows users to specify a custom fee and this can come in handy to help ensure your transaction confirms quickly during periods of congestion. We recommend this option to experienced users with an understanding of transaction fees only.