<p>The reason for this is that if a fork were to occur, some blocks will be orphaned and not have any coins which can be rebroadcast. If a block containing a transaction you send me gets orphaned, I can still get my coins, but if the block you are sending me coins from gets orphaned, I can not rebroadcast since the coinbase no longer exists on the valid chain.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-10T13:53:28.343Z
But the chances of such a massive fork is basically zero.
Matthew Mitchell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-12T18:50:58.273Z
You say that now ;)
thank_you
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-23T04:16:12.607Z
2014-02-23T04:16:12.607Z
Mark
<p>The <a href="https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Protocol_rules" rel="noreferrer">protocol rules</a> state that</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>For each input, if the referenced output transaction is coinbase (i.e.
  only 1 input, with hash=0, n=-1), it must have at least
  COINBASE_MATURITY (100) confirmations; else reject this transaction</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Why should coinbase transactions with less than 100 confirmations be unspendable? What is the point of the rule?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-02-23T05:26:58.143Z
The answer to this question is the second answer in the above linked question.
John T
<mining-reward><immature-coins>
Coinbase maturity of 100 transactions
Randomblue
# Coinbase maturity of 100 transactions

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-02-22)

The [protocol rules](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Protocol_rules) state that

> For each input, if the referenced output transaction is coinbase (i.e.
> only 1 input, with hash=0, n=-1), it must have at least
> COINBASE\_MATURITY (100) confirmations; else reject this transaction

Why should coinbase transactions with less than 100 confirmations be unspendable? What is the point of the rule?

**Tags:** mining-reward, immature-coins

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The answer to this question is the second answer in the above linked question.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-02-23. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

The reason for this is that if a fork were to occur, some blocks will be orphaned and not have any coins which can be rebroadcast. If a block containing a transaction you send me gets orphaned, I can still get my coins, but if the block you are sending me coins from gets orphaned, I can not rebroadcast since the coinbase no longer exists on the valid chain.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: But the chances of such a massive fork is basically zero.  
> **username_4**: You say that now ;)  

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