Nonce

A nonce is a value or a number that may only be used once. On authentication protocols and cryptographic hash functions, nonces are frequently employed. A nonce is a pseudo-random number that is used as a counter during the mining process in the context of blockchain technology.

For instance, in order to generate a block hash that satisfies specific criteria, Bitcoin miners must make numerous tries to estimate a valid nonce (i.e., that starts with a certain number of zeros). The first miner to identify a nonce that produces a valid block hash during a competition to mine a new block is given the opportunity to add the next block to the blockchain and is paid for doing so.