Confirmation
The number of new blocks added to the blockchain after your transaction's block, indicating how settled the transaction is.
When you send USDC, your transaction is included in a block. Each subsequent block adds one confirmation. More confirmations mean the transaction is more "final" and harder to reverse.
Different services require different confirmation counts before crediting your account. Exchanges often require 12-35 confirmations on Ethereum (about 3-7 minutes). On faster chains like Solana, confirmation is near-instant.
For most USDC transfers between wallets, one confirmation is practically sufficient. The risk of a confirmed transaction being reversed is extremely low on major blockchains. Exchanges require more confirmations as a precaution because they deal with larger volumes.
Related Terms
Transaction Hash (Tx Hash)
A unique identifier assigned to every blockchain transaction, used to look up and verify the transaction.
Block Explorer
A website that lets you look up transactions, addresses, and other data on a blockchain.
Blockchain
A distributed, immutable digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers.
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This definition is provided for educational purposes. USDC.org is an independent resource and is not affiliated with Circle Internet Financial.