How Fantom processes transactions and how to send one
Fantom's older Opera network confirmed transactions through validators using Lachesis. The network now runs as Sonic, and you need its gas token to send.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
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A transfer begins in your wallet and ends when validators finalize it. A confirmed transfer cannot be reversed.
What Fantom does with your transaction
Validators stake the network's coin and agree on transaction order. The older Fantom Opera network confirmed transactions using Lachesis, an asynchronous Byzantine fault tolerant protocol. The network now running as Sonic uses Sonic consensus, so check your wallet's network before you send.
You need a wallet that supports the network and enough gas token for the fee. The legacy Fantom Opera network used FTM for gas; the network now called Sonic uses S. Network details can change, so copy them from official documentation.
Steps to send a transaction
Your wallet builds and signs the transaction, then sends it to validators. They order and finalize it under the network's consensus.
- 1Check the networkConfirm your wallet is set to the network you intend to use. A transfer on the wrong chain is usually impossible to undo.
- 2Paste the recipient addressCompare the pasted address with the one you were given. A wrong address can mean permanent loss.
- 3Enter the amountType the amount you want to send. Leave enough gas token to cover the fee.
- 4Set gas settingsChoose a gas price and gas limit, or use the wallet's preset. A limit that is too low can make the transaction fail.
- 5Review the detailsRead the network, recipient, amount, and fee on the confirmation screen. Check each item before you sign.
- 6Sign and broadcastApprove with your password or hardware device. Your wallet then broadcasts the signed transaction to validators.
After the transaction confirms
A finalized transaction cannot be reversed. Save the transaction hash, amount, date, and recipient. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so records can matter at tax time.
Frequently asked questions
The legacy Fantom Opera network used FTM for gas, and the network now running as Sonic uses S. If your wallet shows another symbol, verify it with the official documentation.
Finality usually arrives within a short time, but network traffic can delay it. A block explorer shows whether the transaction is pending or final.
The transfer does not move your funds, but the network still charges gas for the work done. The block explorer shows the reason for the failure.
Usually not once your wallet has broadcast it. Some wallets let you send a replacement with the same nonce, but the original can still confirm.
