Having trouble understanding transaction fees.

[muasktak10]

At what part of the mining process are transaction fees actually used?

If I mine in a pool, and withdraw my btc from that pool into my btc wallet, is that where the transaction fee will be initiated? and the transaction fee is not mandatory, but if I want my confirmed btc in my btc wallet quicker I must use a transaction fee?


I read everything I could find, but I'm still really confused.

[1714115070]

1714115070

[koin]

If I mine in a pool, and withdraw my btc from that pool into my btc wallet, is that where the transaction fee will be initiated?

it is up to the sender (in this case, the pool) whether or not to include a fee on a transaction. 

you didn't say which pool you use.  the pools can differ in that some might add the transaction fee for the withdrawal / payout payment and others won't.   

[muasktak10]

I'm in slush's pool

[benjamindees]

It is usual for the pool to cover the transaction fee when you make a withdrawal, though that may not always be the case.

[muasktak10]

I still don't understand what the point of them are, even if I won't be using them.

[Sicks3144]

I'm new to it all as well, but my thinking of them as a bribe to get miners to process the transaction sooner seems roughly correct.

Awaiting beatings for being wrong, now ..

[DeathAndTaxes]

I still don't understand what the point of them are, even if I won't be using them.

The network has a real tangible cost.  Fees pay that cost.  Now Satoshi was smart and realized in the beginning the cost of a secure network would be higher than fees can bring in.  So that either leaves the network horribly weak and underfunded or fees so excessive nobody wants to use the network.   So he created a block subsidy which also solves the problem of initial distribution of coins in a fair manner.

Miner total compensation = subsidy + fees.
Currently the subsidy is 50 BTC but that declines over time.
Eventually the subsidy will be 0 BTC and long before that it will be <1 BTC.

Today:
Miner Total Compensation = 99.9% subsidy + 0.1% fees

Some point in the future:
Miner Total Compensation = 50% subsidy + 50% fees

Eventually once all coins are mined:
Miner Total Compensation = 0% subsidy + 100% fees

[muasktak10]

I guess that makes sense, it's better than just printing more money like the federal reserve.