What Is the Bitcoin Mempool? Why Fees Change

The mempool is where Bitcoin transactions wait before being confirmed. It is a temporary holding area for transactions that have been broadcast but not yet included in a block. --- ## What the mempool does When you send bitcoin, your transaction is sent to nodes across the network. Those nodes store the transaction in their mempool. Miners then select transactions from the mempool to include in the next block. --- ## Not one single mempool There is no global mempool. Each node maintains its own version. However, most nodes end up with similar mempools because they share transactions with each other. --- ## Fees determine priority Transactions in the mempool are not processed in order. Miners prioritize transactions based on fees. Higher fee transactions are usually included first. Lower fee transactions may wait longer. --- ## Mempool congestion When many transactions are waiting, the mempool becomes crowded. This increases competition for block space. As a result, fees rise. --- ## Why it matters Understanding the mempool helps explain: - Why transactions can be delayed - Why fees fluctuate - Why timing matters when sending bitcoin --- ## Final takeaway The mempool is a waiting room for transactions. It connects user activity with mining and plays a key role in how fees and confirmations work.