if you don't want to go out to X to see it, here it is: Th…

bridget ·

if you don't want to go out to X to see it, here it is:

The Mystery of the Anomalous 400 BSV Miner Fee on Block 910550

Someone paid a 400+ BSV transaction fee on block 910550.

Here's what I found:

The Facts

+ Transaction had five UTXOs from three separate addresses as inputs

+ Output was 1 satoshi locked with just OP_NOP (meaning anyone could spend it)

+ That 1 satoshi was later spent using OP_1 as input script (no signatures)

+ The spending transaction included an OP_RETURN message: "see me after class"

My Theory (for what its worth :))

This looks like an intentional educational demonstration - using the blockchain as a whiteboard to teach Bitcoin script mechanics. The "see me after class" message suggests it was a teaching exercise. Of course, "expensive" is relative - if someone had substantial BSV holdings, this fee might be trivial to them.

Transaction ID

6a0d4e3e859ae693f49777fff82a9bb7286c1649dd2c3bc01cd163d6a3018676

Replies

metamitya ·

thanks for the breakdown!

bridget ·

Sure thing! Looks like my facts were right, but my guess about the intention being a teaching occasion wasn’t. It looks like the huge fee tx came from a bug in a mnemonic recovery tool a guy was using. I hope the miner is helpful and gives him his 400 BSV back.
The second transaction that spent the 1 Satoshi output does appear to be a teaching moment though. “see me after class” 😄
it was interesting to me to see script mechanics. That transaction was written in a way that allowed anyone to spend it.
The script was not malformed, it was accepted by the validation engine. It’s perfectly acceptable to have a script that anyone can spend. Pay to Hash Puzzles work this way I think, but to unlock it you just have to solve the puzzle.

Neptune_Boi33 ·

I vaguely understand. To be able to used BSV transactions this way is fascinating. Thank you for the breakdown ✌🏽

ChefMyKLove ·

This is some great digging. One of my favorite things about blockchain is the writing on the wall of blocks. It’s so cool watching people dig around and find stuff. I wonder if the address that sent the opcodes has any other activity. 🤔

bridget ·

It’s a blast to explore, I agree! It’s the beauty of a public blockchain. Sleuthing benefits all when shared.
Re: those addresses.. Depending on skill level you could find out for yourself by going to the transaction and looking at the 5 inputs that represent the 3 unique addresses on What’s On Chain and click on each one.
They each have a zero balance now. And show what prior transactions contributed to activity on it (all within the past year).
Since I have more information now, it looks likely that it was unintended and accidental. The output being 1 Satoshi and the inputs totalling 400 some odd BSV - it’s simple math. The mining fee is calculated by subtracting the outputs from the inputs. Hence, a 400ish BSV miner fee.
For some of us this kind of investigation is fun because you learn more about how this magnificent system works!
I do hope the miner will give back the fees paid. I’ve heard that sometimes they will. It’s still a very small ecosystem.