Comprehensive Guide to Child-Pays-For-Parent (CPFP) for Stuck BTC Transactions
5/6/20251 min read


Understanding Child-Pays-For-Parent (CPFP)
The Child-Pays-For-Parent (CPFP) method is a valuable technique in Bitcoin transactions that assists users in resolving stuck or unconfirmed transactions. When a transaction is delayed, sending additional fees enables miners to prioritize the clearing of the parent transaction, while simultaneously making the child transaction attractive for mining.
Steps to Implementing CPFP
To effectively utilize CPFP, follow these steps to ensure your transactions progress without delays. First, you need a supported Bitcoin wallet that allows for transaction creation and fee adjustments. Popular options include wallets like Electrum, Bitcoin Core, and Mycelium. After selecting your wallet, identify the transaction that is stuck in the mempool.
Once you have the transaction details, create a new transaction (the child transaction) that references the unconfirmed parent transaction. Adjust the fee for the child transaction to be significantly higher than the current fees associated with the parent transaction. This incentivizes miners to confirm both transactions at once. The higher fee structure is essential, especially during times of network congestion.
Utilizing Accelerators for Faster Confirmation
In some scenarios, when time is of the essence, utilizing a Bitcoin transaction accelerator can expedite the confirmation process. Many services, such as ViaBTC and BTCmsg, offer accelerator services that prioritize your transactions for a fee. These can often provide faster results than the CPFP method, depending on network conditions and spikes in transaction volume.
To summarize, CPFP serves as a viable solution when you find yourself dealing with unconfirmed transactions. By selecting an appropriate wallet, creating a child transaction with a competitive fee, and considering transaction accelerators for immediate needs, you can effectively manage stuck BTC transactions. This method not only enhances transactions' efficiency but also preserves users' experiences in the vibrant Bitcoin ecosystem.