Orphan Definition
In the context of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, an orphan, or orphan block, refers to a valid block on the blockchain that is not part of the main chain. These blocks are not included in the finalized blockchain ledger because they were solved by a miner at the same time as another block, but were propagated to the network slower than the other block.
Orphan Key Points
- An orphan block is a valid block that is not included in the main blockchain.
- Orphan blocks occur when two miners produce blocks at similar times.
- The block that is propagated to the majority of the network first becomes part of the blockchain, while the other becomes an orphan block.
- Orphan blocks are not rewarded with block rewards, resulting in a loss of resources for the miner that created it.
What is an Orphan?
An orphan block, also known as a stale block, is a block that was successfully mined but is not included in the current longest blockchain. This usually happens when two miners solve a block at the same time, and their blocks are propagated to the network. The block that reaches the majority of the network nodes first is accepted and added to the blockchain, while the other block becomes an orphan.
Why do Orphans occur?
Orphan blocks occur due to the decentralized nature of the blockchain network. When two miners solve a block at the same time, they both broadcast their solved block to the network. Due to network latency, some nodes may receive one block before the other. If the majority of nodes receive and validate one block first, that block is added to the blockchain and the other block becomes an orphan.
Where do Orphans fit in the Blockchain?
Orphan blocks are not included in the main chain of the blockchain but they are kept in a pool known as the “orphan pool”. They serve as a testament to the decentralized and competitive nature of blockchain mining. They also highlight the importance of network propagation speed in blockchain mining.
When do Orphans occur?
Orphan blocks can occur at any time during the mining process. The likelihood of an orphan block occurring increases with the number of miners on the network, as more miners increase the chance of two blocks being solved at the same time.
How are Orphans handled?
When an orphan block occurs, it is not completely discarded. Instead, it is kept in the orphan block pool. However, the miner of the orphan block does not receive the block reward or transaction fees. This can result in a significant loss of resources for the miner, as mining requires substantial computational power and energy.
