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Stale Block

Stale Block Key Points

  • Stale Blocks occur in blockchain networks as a result of two miners solving a block almost simultaneously.
  • They are also known as ‘orphan blocks’.
  • These blocks are valid, but are not included in the blockchain because they are not part of the longest chain.
  • Stale blocks are discarded and the transactions within them are returned to the mempool to be added to future blocks.
  • The existence of stale blocks is a natural consequence of the decentralized nature of blockchain networks.

Stale Block Definition

A stale block, also known as an orphan block, is a block that is solved and validated but ultimately not included in the blockchain. This typically occurs when two miners solve a block at nearly the same time, resulting in two potential new additions to the blockchain. Due to the rule that the longest chain is preferred, only one of these blocks can be added, making the other block stale. The transactions within the stale block are not lost, but are returned to the mempool to be included in future blocks.

What is a Stale Block?

A stale block is a block that was successfully mined but not included on the blockchain.
This usually happens when two miners solve a block simultaneously, causing a temporary split in the network.
The network eventually resolves this by continuing with the chain that has the most proof-of-work, rendering the other block stale.

Who Can Create a Stale Block?

Any miner in a decentralized blockchain network can create a stale block.
This is not a deliberate action but an unintentional result of the block being solved by another miner at the same time.

When Do Stale Blocks Occur?

Stale blocks occur when two miners solve a block almost simultaneously.
This leads to a temporary fork in the network, with some nodes receiving one block first and others receiving the other.
The stale block is determined when the next block is mined, continuing one chain and leaving the other behind.

Where Do Stale Blocks Occur?

Stale blocks occur in any decentralized blockchain network.
They are inherent to the design of these networks and their occurrence is a natural consequence of the decentralized mining process.

Why Do Stale Blocks Exist?

Stale blocks exist due to the decentralized and competitive nature of blockchain networks.
When two miners solve a block at the same time, the network must choose one to continue the chain.
This is necessary to maintain a single, coherent transaction history across the network.

How Are Stale Blocks Handled?

When a stale block is identified, it is discarded from the blockchain and the transactions within it are returned to the mempool.
These transactions are then available to be included in future blocks.
Despite being discarded, the miner of a stale block is still rewarded for their work.
This is because the work they did contributes to the overall security of the network, even if their block was not included in the chain.

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