Prepare for the Certified Bitcoin Professional Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question features hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is the main purpose of Bitcoin mining?

  1. To create new Bitcoins

  2. To validate and confirm transactions on the network

  3. To increase transaction fees

  4. To develop new cryptocurrencies

The correct answer is: To validate and confirm transactions on the network

The main purpose of Bitcoin mining is to validate and confirm transactions on the network. Mining involves solving complex cryptographic puzzles, which allows miners to verify transactions that are broadcasted on the Bitcoin network. When a miner successfully solves a puzzle, they add the verified transactions to a new block in the blockchain, ensuring that all participants have a consistent and accurate record of transactions. This process is crucial because it maintains the integrity and security of the Bitcoin network. By confirming transactions, miners help prevent double-spending and ensure that funds are legitimate before they are transferred. While creating new Bitcoins occurs as a byproduct of mining — rewarding miners with new coins for their efforts — the primary function is the verification process. Although transaction fees are involved within the context of mining, they do not encompass the main purpose of the activity, as miners primarily aim to validate transactions rather than solely focusing on increasing fees. Additionally, while the mining process relates to cryptocurrency, developing new cryptocurrencies is not a direct outcome of Bitcoin mining itself. Thus, the essential role of mining lies in its function to confirm and secure transactions within the Bitcoin network.