What primary function do miners serve in a blockchain?

Miners play a crucial role in the blockchain ecosystem primarily by verifying transactions and adding them to the blockchain. This process involves several key activities. Initially, miners gather pending transactions from the network, validate them to ensure they adhere to the correct cryptographic and network protocols, and then bundle them into a new block.

Upon creating a new block, miners must compete to solve a complex mathematical puzzle, which is integral to the process of proof-of-work used by many blockchain systems. This puzzle requires computational effort, and the first miner to solve it is granted the right to add the block to the blockchain. Once the block is added, the verified transactions within it become part of the immutable ledger that constitutes the blockchain, ensuring their permanent record and preventing double spending.

This verification process not only maintains the integrity of the blockchain, but it also prevents fraudulent activities by ensuring that no one can alter the transaction history without consensus from the network. Overall, the role of miners is fundamental to achieving the decentralized trust that characterizes blockchain technology.