All terms
All termsAddressBlockBlock timeBlockchainConfirmationGasGweiHashMempoolNodePrivate keyPublic keySeed phraseTransactionWalletAll time high (ATH)Bear marketBull marketCandlestickCapitulationChart patternsDollar cost averaging (DCA)Funding rateLeverageLimit orderLiquidationLiquidityMarket capMarket orderOrder bookPosition sizingRisk managementSlippageSpreadSupport and resistanceTrendVolatilityVolumeWhaleAMMBridgeCEXDAODeFiDepegDEXFlash loanGovernance tokenImpermanent lossLiquidity poolLP tokenOraclePerpetual (perp)RestakingRWAStablecoinTVLWrapped tokenYield farmingAirdropAlphaApe inBagholderDegenDiamond handsFloor priceFOMOFUDGMHODLMaxiMeme coinMoonNFTNGMINormiePaper handsPFPRektShillSnapshotWAGMIAddress poisoningCold storageCustodyDue diligence (DYOR)Dusting attackExit scamFront runningHardware walletHoneypotHot walletMEVMultisigPhishingPump and dumpRug pullSandwich attackSelf custodySIM swapToken approvalTwo factor authenticationWallet drainerWash tradingAccount abstractionAppchainBlock explorerCirculating and total supplyConsensusData availabilityEVMFaucetFinalityForkFully diluted valuation (FDV)Gas warHalvingLayer 1Layer 2Layer 3MainnetMiningName serviceOptimistic rollupProof of stakeProof of workRollupShardingSidechainSlashingSmart contractStakingTestnetToken standardTokenomicsValidatorZero knowledge proofZK rollupArweave and the permawebComposabilityCross chain messagingdAppDecentralized identity (DID)DePINGameFi and play to earnIndexerInteroperabilityIPFSOnchain and offchainSession keysSmart accountSocialFiSoulbound tokenSybil resistanceToken gatingWeb2 vs Web3Web3
Definition
How many blocks have been built on top of the one containing your transaction.
When your transaction lands in a block, it has one confirmation. Each block added afterward adds another. More confirmations mean more work would be needed to reverse it, so exchanges wait for a certain number before crediting deposits.
Chains with instant finality, like Algorand or Solana after a short delay, do not work this way. Once finalized, a block cannot be reorganized at all.
In practice
Many exchanges wait for 6 Bitcoin confirmations, roughly an hour, before letting you trade a deposit.
Where to go next
BlockA batch of transactions added to the chain at one time.FinalityThe point at which a transaction can no longer be reversed.TransactionA signed instruction to change the state of the blockchain.
More foundations terms
Want this explained out loud?
Some of these land faster in conversation than in writing. Sessions are one to one and you can ask anything, including the things that feel too obvious to ask.