1. The transaction is prepared
A wallet builds transaction data such as the destination, amount and applicable network information. The exact fields depend on the blockchain.
2. The transaction is signed
The wallet uses the relevant secret to create a cryptographic signature. Good wallet design keeps private keys protected while allowing authorized signing.
3. The transaction is broadcast
The signed transaction is sent to the network. Nodes can validate basic rules before it is considered for inclusion in a block or equivalent ledger update.
4. The network confirms it
Validators or miners include valid transactions according to the network’s consensus rules. More confirmations can provide greater confidence, depending on the blockchain and transaction context.
5. The recipient checks the ledger
A wallet or block explorer can show the transaction status. Users should use the correct network’s official or reputable explorer and verify the transaction identifier rather than trusting a screenshot.