Ethereum remains one of the most influential blockchain networks in the world, powering decentralized applications, smart contracts, and a vast ecosystem of digital assets. Every block mined on the Ethereum network contains valuable data that reveals insights into transaction activity, miner rewards, network health, and economic value. This article explores Ethereum Block 15,599,534, mined on September 24, 2022, to unpack its key metrics and explain what they mean for users, developers, and observers of the blockchain space.
Overview of Ethereum Block 15,599,534
Mined at 12:08:35 UTC on September 24, 2022, this particular block offers a snapshot of Ethereum’s operational dynamics during the pre-Merge era—before the network transitioned to proof-of-stake. At the time, Ethereum was still using proof-of-work (PoW), meaning miners competed to solve complex cryptographic puzzles to validate transactions and earn rewards.
The block processed 494 transactions, transferring a total of 101.0515 ETH—worth approximately $133,775** at the time of mining. The average transaction value was **0.2046 ETH ($270.80), indicating a mix of small-to-medium-sized transfers, typical of everyday user activity such as token swaps, wallet movements, or DeFi interactions.
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Miner Rewards and Transaction Fees
One of the most critical aspects of any PoW block is the miner reward, which incentivizes participants to secure the network. In this block:
- Base block reward: 2.00 ETH (~$2,647.66)
- Transaction fee reward: 0.4521 ETH (~$598.50)
- Total miner payout: 2.4521 ETH (~$3,246.16)
The base reward of 2 ETH was standard under Ethereum’s PoW protocol. However, the additional 0.4521 ETH in fees came from the gas paid by users to execute their transactions. With 494 transactions included, the block was relatively active but not full—operating at 8.22% capacity with a gas usage of 29,987,555 out of a 30,000,000 limit.
This high gas utilization suggests that demand for block space was strong at the time, potentially leading to slightly elevated gas prices across the network.
Technical Specifications of the Block
Each Ethereum block contains a rich set of technical metadata that ensures immutability and traceability within the blockchain. Here are the key details from Block 15,599,534:
- Block Hash:
0xba1-d260d(truncated for readability) - Parent Hash:
0x9dc-6d38a— links to the previous block, maintaining chain integrity - State Root:
0xbbe-e04e7— represents the state of all accounts after applying transactions - Nonce:
0— used in PoW mining; value indicates successful hashing - Depth: 7,245,485 blocks from genesis
- Uncles: 0 — no orphaned sibling blocks were referenced
- Uncle Reward: 0 ETH — consistent with no uncles included
- Total Difficulty: 5.875 × 10²² — cumulative computational effort to mine up to this point
These fields are essential for node validation, consensus mechanisms, and forensic analysis of blockchain behavior.
Transaction Volume and Economic Impact
A total of 101.0515 ETH was transferred in this single block. Given Ethereum’s role in powering DeFi protocols, NFT marketplaces, and cross-chain bridges, such volumes often represent more than simple peer-to-peer payments.
For context:
- The median transaction value was 0.08978 ETH, significantly lower than the average.
- This disparity suggests a few large transactions skewed the average upward—common when exchanges or institutions move significant holdings.
Additionally, there were 112 internal transactions, which are contract-initiated operations not directly triggered by external users (e.g., yield distributions or smart contract callbacks).
At current market values (as of 2025), the ETH transferred in this block would be worth approximately $258,136, highlighting how asset appreciation impacts historical data interpretation.
Network Context and Historical Significance
This block was mined just weeks before The Merge—Ethereum’s landmark upgrade in September 2022 that shifted consensus from PoW to proof-of-stake (PoS). As such, it represents one of the final blocks secured by energy-intensive mining operations.
Post-Merge, block rewards and fee structures changed significantly:
- Miners were replaced by validators
- Block rewards became dynamic based on staking participation
- Transaction fee mechanics evolved with EIP-1559 improvements
Analyzing pre-Merge blocks like this helps illustrate how far Ethereum has come in terms of scalability, sustainability, and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a blockchain explorer?
A blockchain explorer is a tool that allows users to view real-time and historical data about blocks, transactions, addresses, and network activity on a blockchain. It functions like a search engine for blockchain data.
Why does the block show two different USD values?
The two values reflect changes in ETH’s market price over time. The original value ($133,775**) reflects USD worth at time of mining; the second (**$258,136) shows what the same ETH amount is worth today (2025), illustrating crypto volatility.
What are internal transactions?
Internal transactions occur when a smart contract executes a transfer between addresses without an external signature. They aren’t stored directly on-chain but can be inferred through transaction traces.
How is the miner paid?
Miners receive payment through two components: a fixed block reward (2 ETH here) and gas fees collected from transactions included in the block. Fees vary depending on network congestion.
Can I track where the mined ETH went?
Yes—using a blockchain explorer, you can follow the coinbase address (0x46...a263) to see how the reward was spent or held over time.
What does "capacity" mean in a block?
Capacity refers to how much of the available gas limit is used. This block used 99.96% of its gas limit (nearly full), indicating high demand for inclusion during that slot.
Why Analyze Individual Blocks?
Studying individual blocks may seem granular, but it provides actionable intelligence:
- Developers monitor gas usage patterns to optimize dApp performance.
- Analysts assess transaction flow to detect whale movements or exchange deposits.
- Educators use real examples to teach blockchain mechanics.
- Traders observe fee trends to time transactions efficiently.
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These terms align with common search queries related to blockchain data exploration and support strong SEO performance without keyword stuffing.
Final Thoughts
Ethereum Block 15,599,534 serves as a compelling case study in blockchain transparency and data richness. From transaction volume to miner incentives and technical metadata, every field tells part of a larger story about how decentralized networks operate in real time.
Whether you're researching historical trends, learning about blockchain architecture, or analyzing economic activity, tools that expose this level of detail empower deeper understanding and informed decision-making.
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