I found a block but only transaction it contains is the 25 BTC mining award???

[Moria843]

While mining in the slush pool, I was credited with finding my first block (304223). Who-WA!

But when I look at it on blockchain it shows 0 transaction volume and 0 fees. The only transaction listed is the 25 BTC mining award. I've never seen a block like this before and didn't think it could happen since the purpose of mining is to create blocks of transactions. Is this unique or does it happen a lot?

[BaalMcKloud]

 
nothing to worry 
sometimes its happen   

[cr1776]

Miners can include transactions or not. Some pools do not include any to decrease propagation time.  It can also happen if there were no transactions to include, for example if blocks are found close together.

[eigenjoy]

Yes this can happen sometimes. It's allowed because it's not rational over the long term from a game theory perspective. E.g. if all the miners decided to mine blocks with zero transactions simply for the block reward, then no transactions would flow through the network.

With no transactions the network would be useless and then the reward would be worthless.

Thankfully, it's not any harder to mine a block with transactions than without[1], so this shouldn't be a problem long term.

[1] Other than the fact that larger blocks can take a longer time to transfer across the network.

[ashleysly]

This actually is common. I have been on a few pools and have found previous blocks where this has happened. At least you found a block, which is very difficult.

[TheGambler]

Im sure you will still be credited for that block
It's no worries, it happens sometimes

[BurtW]

I am curious, can someone run a quick script and find out the number of blocks that have no transactions?  Would be an interesting statistic/graph, especially displayed over time (% empty vs time).  I expect this was more common in the early days, less common now.  More common a while back when there was a botnet doing it on purpose, etc.

[TheGambler]

I am curious, can someone run a quick script and find out the number of blocks that have no transactions?  Would be an interesting statistic/graph, especially displayed over time (% empty vs time).  I expect this was more common in the early days, less common now.  More common a while back when there was a botnet doing it on purpose, etc.

doesnt sound to complicated to create
All you need is the blockchain API, right?
Make a thread!

[cinnamon_carter]

Congratulations !!! with difficulty at an all time high (so far) I think it's really cool you solved a block !!

[Foxpup]

This block was, by chance, found only 39 seconds after the previous one. It is likely that no new transactions were made during that time. These blocks are still useful, as they made it more difficult to double-spend previous transactions.

[SelbyTsang]

This block was, by chance, found only 39 seconds after the previous one. It is likely that no new transactions were made during that time. These blocks are still useful, as they made it more difficult to double-spend previous transactions.

Exactly.

Block #304223 was found on 2014-06-04 15:55:01.
https://blockchain.info/block-index/437709

Block #304222 was found on 2014-06-04 15:54:22.
https://blockchain.info/block-index/437708

[Moria843]

Congratulations !!! with difficulty at an all time high (so far) I think it's really cool you solved a block !!

Thanks. By the way, enjoyed you in Mission Impossible! 

[Muhammed Zakir]

Thanks for posting this. It helps a lot of people from being worried.
Kindly,
       Muhammed Zakhir