Block confirmations refer to the number of times a transaction has been included in new blocks within a blockchain. Each time a new block is mined or added after the block containing a specific transaction, that transaction gains additional confirmations.

For example, when a transaction is first included in a block, it is considered to have one confirmation. As subsequent blocks are added, the transaction’s confirmations increase. This is an essential aspect of ensuring the security and validity of transactions.

The more confirmations a transaction has, the more secure it is deemed to be. This is because the likelihood of a transaction being reversed decreases as more blocks are added. In many networks, six confirmations are considered standard for confirming Bitcoin transactions, as it reduces the risk of double spending and enhances overall trust in the transaction’s validity.

Users often wait for a specific number of confirmations before considering a transaction complete, especially for larger amounts, to ensure that it is fully verified and secure.