Transaction Confirmation Latency

Definition ∞ Transaction confirmation latency refers to the time delay between a cryptocurrency transaction being broadcast to the network and its irreversible inclusion in a validated block on the blockchain. This latency is influenced by network congestion, transaction fees, and the block production rate of the specific blockchain. Lower latency generally means faster finality for transactions, which is crucial for real-world adoption. It directly impacts the user experience and the practicality of a digital asset for payments.
Context ∞ In crypto news, transaction confirmation latency is a key metric discussed when evaluating the scalability and efficiency of various blockchain platforms. Reports often compare the latency of different networks, highlighting how faster confirmation times can support broader use cases, such as retail payments. Ongoing efforts to reduce this latency, through protocol upgrades or layer-2 solutions, are frequently covered as significant developments.