A transaction fee is the cost attached to processing a transaction on a blockchain network. This fee incentivizes miners or validators to include the transaction in the ledger. It varies based on network demand, transaction size, and urgency.When a user initiates a transaction, they can specify the fee they are willing to pay. Higher fees generally lead to faster confirmations, as miners prioritize transactions with greater rewards. In contrast, lower fees may result in delays.These fees are essential for maintaining the network’s security and functionality. They help prevent spam transactions, ensuring that only legitimate transactions are processed. Over time, transaction fees have become a significant source of revenue for miners, especially as block rewards decrease in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.Overall, transaction fees play a crucial role in the efficient operation of blockchain networks, balancing user demand with network capacity.