Transaction Lifecycle

Lessons > Transaction Lifecycle
Course Content
Summary Of Bitcoin
0/1
Summary
00:00
Embarking on the Bitcoin Revolution – A New Era of Digital Currency
Welcome to an enlightening journey into the world of Bitcoin, the groundbreaking digital currency that has been redefining the global financial landscape since its inception in 2009. This introduction is your gateway to understanding the transformative power of Bitcoin.
0/4
What Is Bitcoin?
00:00
History and Origin of Bitcoin
00:00
The Vision of Satoshi Nakamoto
00:00
Basics of Blockchain Technology
00:00
What is Bitcoin Mining?
Bitcoin mining is an essential process in the Bitcoin network. It involves validating transactions and adding them to the blockchain, the public ledger of all Bitcoin transactions. Here’s a comprehensive overview of Bitcoin mining:
0/5
Bitcoin Mining
00:00
Hash Rate
00:00
Proof of Work (PoW)
00:00
Mining Pools and their Role
00:00
Bitcoin Transactions
00:00
How Bitcoin Transactions Work
Bitcoin transactions are at the core of how the Bitcoin network functions. They enable the transfer of bitcoins from one user to another while maintaining the integrity and security of the network.
0/5
Bitcoin Transactions
00:00
Transaction Lifecycle
00:00
Understanding Inputs and Outputs
00:00
The UTXO Model
00:00
How UTXOs Define Wallet Balance
00:00
Types of Wallets (Hot Wallets, Cold Wallets)
Wallets are essential tools for storing, managing, and transacting cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. There are two primary types of wallets: hot wallets and cold wallets, each with its own characteristics and use cases. Here's everything you need to know about these wallet types:
0/5
Bitcoin Wallets
00:00
Security Aspects of Bitcoin Wallets
00:00
The Heart of a Wallet: It’s All About the Keys
00:00
How to Choose a Wallet
00:00
Wallet Backup and Recovery
00:00
Bitcoin’s Monetary Policy
Bitcoin's monetary policy is a fundamental aspect of the cryptocurrency's design and governance. It governs how new bitcoins are created and how the overall supply of bitcoins is managed. Here's everything you need to know about Bitcoin's monetary policy:
0/5
Bitcoin’s Monetary Policy
00:00
Scarcity and the 21 Million Cap
00:00
Inflation vs. Deflation in Bitcoin
00:00
Bitcoin Halvings
00:00
Bitcoin ETF
00:00
Bitcoin – The #1 Digital Revolution of Money
About Lesson

The transaction lifecycle in Bitcoin involves several stages, from initiation to confirmation on the blockchain. Understanding this process is essential for anyone using Bitcoin. Here’s a detailed explanation of the transaction lifecycle:

1. Transaction Initiation

  • Sender’s Action: The transaction lifecycle begins when a Bitcoin user (the sender) decides to initiate a transaction. The sender uses a Bitcoin wallet to create and send the transaction.

  • Recipient’s Address: The sender specifies the recipient’s Bitcoin address, which is a cryptographic representation of the recipient’s wallet.

  • Amount: The sender specifies the amount of bitcoins they want to send to the recipient.

2. Transaction Inputs

  • UTXOs: The sender’s wallet identifies Unspent Transaction Outputs (UTXOs) that they own and can use as inputs for the transaction. UTXOs are previously received bitcoins that haven’t been spent yet.

  • Total Value: The wallet calculates the total value of the selected UTXOs, ensuring it covers the amount being sent and any transaction fees.

3. Transaction Outputs

  • Recipient’s Address: The sender’s wallet creates one or more outputs, specifying the recipient’s address and the amount to send to each recipient. These outputs become new UTXOs for the recipients.

  • Change Address: If the total value of the selected UTXOs exceeds the transaction amount and fees, the sender’s wallet generates a change address. The excess bitcoins are sent back to this address as change.

4. Transaction Fee

  • Fee Calculation: To incentivize miners to include the transaction in a block, the sender may include a transaction fee. The fee is calculated based on factors like transaction size, network congestion, and desired confirmation speed.

5. Transaction Signing

  • Private Key: The sender’s wallet uses the sender’s private key to digitally sign the transaction. This signature proves ownership of the UTXOs being spent.

  • Security: The private key must be kept secure, as it provides access to the sender’s bitcoins. Only the owner of the private key can create a valid signature.

6. Transaction Broadcasting

  • Network Propagation: Once signed, the transaction is broadcast to the Bitcoin network. It is propagated to nodes (computers) participating in the network.

  • Validation: Nodes on the network validate the transaction for accuracy and adherence to Bitcoin’s rules. Invalid transactions are rejected.

7. Transaction Inclusion in a Block

  • Mining Process: Valid transactions are collected by miners, who group them into a block. Miners compete to solve a cryptographic puzzle (Proof of Work) to add the block to the blockchain.

  • Block Propagation: Once a miner solves the puzzle and adds the block to the blockchain, the new block is propagated to the entire network. This confirms the inclusion of the transaction in the blockchain.

8. Confirmation

  • Block Confirmations: The transaction is considered confirmed when it is included in a block that is added to the blockchain. For most transactions, six or more confirmations are considered secure. Each subsequent block added to the chain increases the security of the transaction.

9. Transaction Finality

  • Irreversible: Once a transaction is confirmed and added to the blockchain, it is irreversible. It becomes a permanent part of the public ledger, and its details are visible to all network participants.

10. Monitoring and Verification

  • Transaction Status: Users can monitor the status of their transactions using blockchain explorers or wallet software. They can verify that their transaction has been confirmed and view its details on the blockchain.
Join the conversation
Previous
Next
Bookmark