What Can I Do If My Bitcoin Transaction Is Stuck Pending?
First of all, don't panic. Sometimes, it is a basic point because more time is needed to confirm a transaction depending on the blockchain's consensus algorithm, network load, transaction fees, and architecture. For example, a BTC transaction takes roughly 60 minutes to complete an operation that usually works for large amounts, while small or mid-sized amounts are confirmed faster. Monero, in turn, might take from 2 to 26 minutes. Ethereum's confirmation takes about 2-5 minutes.
We asked the Coin Wallet support team to explain what you should do when a transaction is stuck in pending status. Let's break it down.
Key Takeaways
The speed at which a Bitcoin or ETF transaction is confirmed is directly proportional to the fee you set in comparison to the demand on the network. If you set a low fee, the transaction will still go through, but it will have lower priority.
Why Your BTC Transaction Is Stuck Pending
As we said earlier, there are many factors behind this issue, from the consensus algorithm to the blockchain architecture itself. However, it also depends on network congestion and transaction fees.
In the Bitcoin blockchain, users compete for limited space within a block. A block can only hold a certain number of transactions, and miners prioritize transactions that offer the highest fee per byte. This creates a fee market where the fee determines how quickly a transaction is included in a block.
What Happens in Practice
📌 If the fee is sufficiently high, the transaction is processed quickly → within ~10–20 minutes.
📌 If the fee is moderate, the transaction may need to wait for several blocks → resulting in a longer confirmation time.
📌 If the fee is too low, the transaction remains in the mempool → its status remains ‘pending’ for a long time.
In Coin Wallet, users can manually increase the fee for a Bitcoin transaction. Increasing the fee increases the chances of faster confirmation.
Discover more details about fees here
Why Your ETF Transaction Is Stuck Pending
In general, stuck pending ETF transactions happen for the same reasons as BTC ones, but the key difference is the type of fee, namely the gas fee.
Note that the term ‘gas fee’ is not used in Bitcoin; it is used in EVM-based blockchain networks such as Ethereum.
In Coin Wallet, the gas fee is set to an optimal default based on normal network conditions. However, if network congestion suddenly increases (for instance, due to a surge in transactions), the previously optimal fee may no longer be optimal. As a result, transactions might become stuck in pending status.
What You Should Do If Your Crypto Transactions Are Stuck Pending
The first option is just to wait while miners or validators confirm the transaction. It takes time, but it is the most natural way.
The second one: You can try a higher fee. Small fees may delay confirmation.
How to speed up a stuck Ethereum transaction?
You cannot cancel a transaction once it has been sent to the blockchain. But you can replace it: resend with the same Nonce (Ethereum/EVM) or use RBF (Bitcoin) with a much higher fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Crypto Transaction Still Pending?
Your transaction isn’t included in a block on the network yet. The most common reason a transaction remains in a pending state is that the transaction fee is too low for the network’s conditions, so other transactions are prioritised over yours.
How Long Does a Stuck Crypto Transaction Take to Cancel?
It usually doesn’t cancel immediately. Most blockchains keep transactions in the mempool until confirmed or automatically dropped. For Bitcoin, this can take hours to a few days, depending on node policies and network load.
What Happens If a Crypto Transaction Stays Pending Forever?
A crypto transaction that stays “pending” forever usually means it is stuck in the network mempool due to low fees. It will eventually be dropped and return the funds to your wallet, or it can be accelerated or cancelled by sending a new transaction with a higher fee (RBF) to replace it.
Can a Pending Crypto Transaction Be Reversed?
A pending crypto transaction usually cannot be undone once it is sent to the network. Sometimes, if it is still waiting, you may be able to stop it before it is confirmed.