The mempool (memory pool) is a temporary holding area maintained by blockchain nodes. When a user signs and broadcasts a transaction—such as purchasing or listing an NFT—the transaction is first propagated across peer-to-peer nodes. At this stage, it has not yet been included in a block. Instead, it sits in the mempool waiting for a validator (in Proof-of-Stake networks like Ethereum) to select it for inclusion in the next block.

From a technical perspective, NFT platforms connect to full nodes or infrastructure providers (e.g., Ethereum RPC endpoints) that expose mempool data. When a user submits a transaction via their wallet (such as MetaMask), the platform receives the transaction hash immediately after broadcast. The frontend then queries the node using JSON-RPC methods such as eth_getTransactionByHash. If the transaction exists in the mempool but does not yet have a block number assigned, it is considered “pending.”

At this point, the UI updates to display a status such as “Transaction Pending” or “Processing.” The marketplace may also monitor gas price dynamics, nonce sequencing, and potential transaction replacement (e.g., if the user speeds up or cancels the transaction using a higher gas fee). Since Ethereum allows transactions with the same nonce to be replaced if the gas fee is increased, the platform must track mempool changes carefully.

Blur-like platforms often go further by using websocket subscriptions (e.g., eth_subscribe with newPendingTransactions) to listen for real-time mempool events. This allows the interface to instantly reflect that a transaction has entered the network, even before confirmation. Additionally, they may simulate the transaction off-chain to estimate its success probability and detect potential reverts.

Once a validator includes the transaction in a block, the node returns a block number and receipt via eth_getTransactionReceipt. The platform then updates the status from “pending” to “confirmed.” Some platforms wait for multiple block confirmations to reduce reorg risk before marking the trade as finalized.

In summary, when an NFT platform displays “transaction in progress,” it is technically monitoring mempool state, transaction hash existence, gas inclusion likelihood, and block confirmation status in real time. The mempool acts as the transitional layer between user intent (signed transaction) and final blockchain settlement.

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