Zero-Fee Transactions

Definition ∞ Zero-fee transactions are operations on a blockchain or digital asset network that incur no cost to the sender for their processing. While uncommon in many major proof-of-work blockchains, some protocols or layer-2 solutions are designed to offer transactions without direct user-paid fees. This can be achieved through various mechanisms, such as subsidized fees, different consensus models, or off-chain processing. The aim is to improve user experience and encourage microtransactions.
Context ∞ The availability and sustainability of zero-fee transactions are frequently debated in discussions about blockchain scalability, accessibility, and economic models. News often covers projects that aim to offer such transactions, highlighting their potential to onboard new users and facilitate broader adoption of decentralized applications. However, the economic viability and potential for spam attacks in fee-less systems remain important considerations.