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Double Spending

Double Spending

Last Updated: January 11, 2026

Double Spending is the risk of spending the same cryptocurrency unit more than once.

Double Spending is a potential flaw in digital currency transactions where the same unit is spent multiple times. In traditional fiat systems, centralized authorities prevent double spending through verification and ledger updates. However, in decentralized systems like Bitcoin, this risk is countered by blockchain technology. Each transaction is added to a public ledger, ensuring transparency and security. The network uses consensus mechanisms, such as Proof of Work, to validate transactions and prevent duplicate spending. This makes double spending highly unlikely in well-secured blockchain networks, safeguarding transaction integrity.