How Stellar processes transactions, from signing to confirmation
Stellar settles a signed transaction when validators agree on the next ledger, usually in seconds. You sign with your secret key and save the hash.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
On this page
- Stellar uses consensus, not mining.
- Servers check the signature and sequence number.
- A confirmed payment has a hash you can look up.
Stellar is an open-source payment protocol.
What happens when Stellar processes a transaction?
Stellar uses the Stellar Consensus Protocol, where each server trusts a set of other servers. Those sets agree on the next ledger, and a signed transaction usually becomes final in seconds.
What do I need before sending?
A Stellar payment starts with details to gather before you sign. Your account must be active and able to sign transactions.
- A funded Stellar account.
- The recipient's public key.
- Enough XLM for the fee and the minimum balance.
How do I send a Stellar transaction?
Your wallet builds the transaction and prepares it for the network. You approve it from your device.
- 1Check the detailsConfirm the public key, amount, and memo before you sign.
- 2Sign and submitYour wallet signs with your secret key and sends it to a server.
- 3Wait for validationServers check the signature and the sequence number.
- 4Watch the ledger closeWhen trusted servers agree, the ledger closes and the transaction confirms.
- 5Find your hashYour wallet shows a hash, and you can look it up.
What should I do after it confirms?
After the ledger closes, keep your own records because you report the activity. You can check the trail later.
Frequently asked questions
A transaction rejected before consensus does not enter the ledger. One included with a failing operation is recorded and consumes its fee.
No. Once it is in a closed ledger, it cannot be canceled or reversed. If it never reaches consensus, you can replace it.
A memo is a short note attached to a payment. Some services require one to credit a deposit.
