Ethereum: How many confirmations do I have to wait before I can spend the inputs I’ve already received?

Ethereum Confirmation Levels and Spending Inputs: Understanding the Process

When you receive Ethereum (ETH) as a reward for participating in a decentralized application (dApp) or smart contract, one of the first steps is to wait for a certain number of confirmations on the blockchain. This process is crucial because it allows us to track the ownership and history of the input funds.

In this article, we will dive into the confirmation levels required before you can spend your Ethereum inputs and explore whether you can spend them without confirmations. We will also discuss any restrictions or limitations that come into play.

What are confirmation levels?

Confirmation levels refer to the number of times a block (or transaction) is broadcast to the network before it is added to the blockchain. Each time a block is confirmed, it becomes part of the public ledger, ensuring the integrity and security of the Ethereum network.

The confirmation level of an input is usually set by the creator of the dApp or smart contract that issued the ETH reward. This value may vary depending on the specific implementation and user wallet settings.

How ​​​to find confirmation levels:

To find the confirmation levels associated with your Ethereum inputs, follow these steps:

• Log in to your Ethereum wallet.

• Go to the transaction history to see the inputs you received.

• Check the “Confirmation” field next to each transaction.

• The value displayed will indicate the number of confirmations required before the transaction is considered “confirmed.”

For example, if an input was created with a confirmation level of 5, it means that:

• Block #1 was broadcast to the network (0 confirmations)

• Block #2 was broadcast to the network (1 confirmation)

• …and so on until block #10, which would have 4 more confirmations.

Spending inputs with zero confirmations:

In theory, you can spend Ethereum inputs with zero confirmations. However, there are some important considerations:

• Transfers: When a user transfers ETH from their wallet to another user’s wallet, the transaction is broadcast to the network and confirmed at each hop (block). This process allows users to verify that their funds exist in the system.

• Withdrawals: When a user wants to withdraw ETH from their wallet, they must first create a withdrawal request. The withdrawal request is then broadcast to the network, and if it meets certain conditions, such as having sufficient balance or meeting specific requirements (e.g. being held in a specific contract), it can be confirmed at each hop.

In practice, most users will not attempt to spend their ETH inputs without any confirmations. Instead, they will do the following:

• They will wait for sufficient confirmation levels to be reached before spending.

• They will use the funds after a reasonable waiting period, assuming the blockchain is not congested or experiencing network issues.

Restrictions and Limitations:

While it may seem convenient to spend ETH inputs without confirmations, there are some restrictions and limitations to be aware of:

• Network Congestion: If the Ethereum network is congested, it may take longer to confirm a transaction, increasing the waiting period for your funds.

• Block Size Limitations: The maximum block size limit (currently 2 MB) may impact the number of confirmations required. If a large block is submitted to the network, more levels of confirmation than usual will be required.

• Smart Contract Requirements: Some smart contracts may have specific requirements or conditions that must be met before allowing withdrawals.

In conclusion, spending Ethereum inputs without confirmations is not possible in practice due to the reasons mentioned above.