What are deposit confirmations?
- Author
- CRYPTO PORT Editorial
- Published
- Updated
- Reading time
- 4 min
In short
A confirmation count is the number of blocks stacked on top of the block that contains your transfer. Exchanges hold a deposit until it reaches their threshold. The required number depends on the asset, the network and the operator's own policy, so check their guidance.
Key points
- Blocks added after the one containing your transfer
- More confirmations mean a lower chance of reversal
- Thresholds vary by asset, network and operator
- Balances are not credited until the threshold is met
Definition
The number of blocks that follow the block containing a transfer. Exchanges credit a deposit to the user's balance only once this count reaches their required level.
On a blockchain, a transfer included in a block can in theory still be rolled back moments later. Each additional block on top makes that harder, until the transfer is effectively settled. Counting those blocks gives you the confirmation count.
That is why exchanges wait before crediting a deposit: crediting too early risks honouring a transfer that later disappears. Where to draw the line is the operator's call, so the same asset can require different counts at different venues.
Block intervals also differ by network, so the same count can mean very different waiting times. A transfer with too low a fee may not even make it into a first block quickly. When a deposit is slow, checking the current confirmation count by transaction ID is the fastest way to see where it stands.
Watch out for
- · Confirmations do not help if you sent to the wrong address or network
- · During maintenance, a confirmed transfer may still not be credited
- · Required counts vary by asset and operator — check their official guidance