Miner

An individual or entity that uses computational power to validate and add new transactions to a blockchain. Miners solve complex cryptographic puzzles to create new blocks, a process known as mining. Once a block is successfully mined, it is added to the blockchain, and the miner is typically rewarded with newly created cryptocurrency tokens (such as Bitcoin) and transaction fees.

Mining is essential for maintaining the security and integrity of a blockchain network. It ensures that all transactions are legitimate and prevents double-spending by requiring computational effort to add new transactions to the ledger. The process relies on consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW), which involves significant energy consumption and computational resources. Miners play a crucial role in decentralized networks, as their work verifies and records transactions, contributing to the overall trustworthiness and stability of the blockchain.