Glossary · Principles

What is Confirmation policy?

A confirmation policy is the rule for when a blockchain payment counts as paid: how many block confirmations, on which chain, before the invoice flips to settled. One confirmation on Bitcoin is nearly forever; one on a busy chain can be reorganized minutes later.

The policy is a dial between speed and certainty. Tighten it and buyers wait less; loosen it and double-spend attacks cost less. The right setting depends on ticket size: a coffee can clear at first confirmation, a car should wait for finality.

Confirmation policy on U.CASH

Merchants set the confirmation policy per store and per asset on U.CASH, with sensible defaults per chain; buyers see exactly what counts as paid before they send.

See also

Settlement finalityAccept crypto

Confirmation policy: FAQ

What is a good default policy?
U.CASH defaults follow each chain's real reorganization risk: near-instant on fast-finality chains, a few confirmations on probabilistic ones. Raise the bar for high-ticket goods.
Does the policy affect the buyer?
Only in waiting time. The checkout shows the policy up front so the buyer knows when the order releases.
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