When a transaction is pending, it means that the process of completing the transaction is still underway. Here are some common reasons why transactions might remain in a pending state:
1. Network Delays: Sometimes, the nodes responsible for confirming transactions may lose sync with the rest of the network. This can cause delays, but usually, the transaction will eventually go through within an hour¹.
2. Insufficient Network Confirmations: Bitcoin and Ethereum transactions require a certain number of network confirmations before they are considered final. Transactions appear as pending until the required number of confirmations is reached¹.
3. Low Miner Fees: When sending Bitcoin, you need to include a miner fee to ensure the transaction gets confirmed. If the fee is insufficient, your transaction may never confirm¹.
4. Spending Unconfirmed Coins: If you're trying to spend coins that are still pending in your account, your transaction won't generate until the coins confirm¹.
5. High Network Volume: During periods of high global digital currency activity, there might be more transactions than available space in each new block. This can lead to delays in confirmation¹.
6. Double-Spending: Although transactions generated by Coinbase have systems to prevent this, it's possible that if two transactions try to spend the same coins, one of them will never be confirmed by the network¹.
Remember that pending transactions are part of the normal process, and most of the time, they will eventually complete successfully. If you're concerned about a specific transaction, it's best to check the details on the platform where you initiated it.