Definition ∞ Miner incentive refers to the rewards offered to participants who validate and add new blocks of transactions to a blockchain, typically in Proof-of-Work systems. These incentives, usually comprising newly minted cryptocurrency and transaction fees, motivate miners to dedicate computational resources to secure the network. A well-designed incentive structure is vital for network stability and security.
Context ∞ Miner incentives are a constant subject in crypto news, especially concerning network security, profitability, and environmental impact. Fluctuations in cryptocurrency prices or changes in transaction fee structures directly affect miner revenue and thus their participation, which can influence network hash rate and security. Discussions often arise regarding the long-term sustainability of incentive models as block rewards diminish over time.