Definition ∞ Transaction speed refers to the time it takes for a digital asset transaction to be confirmed and finalized on a blockchain network. This metric is a key indicator of a network’s scalability and efficiency. Faster transaction speeds generally lead to better user experiences and enable more practical applications, particularly for high-frequency trading or point-of-sale systems. It is often measured in seconds or minutes per transaction.
Context ∞ Transaction speed is a persistent area of focus and innovation within the cryptocurrency space, particularly as networks grapple with increasing user adoption and transaction volume. Debates often center on the scalability trilemma, balancing speed, security, and decentralization. Future developments are expected to yield significant improvements through layer-2 scaling solutions, sharding technologies, and more efficient consensus mechanisms, aiming to dramatically reduce confirmation times and network congestion. The pursuit of near-instantaneous finality remains a primary objective.