UTXO
UTXO stands for Unspent Transaction Output. It refers to the residual, spendable amount of crypto-assets remaining after a transaction in the model used by blockchains such as Bitcoin (BTC).
In this model, when you make a transaction, you do not “withdraw” a balance as in a traditional account; instead, you use one or more previously received UTXOs. Any excess amount is returned to the sender’s wallet address as a new UTXO. The balance of a crypto wallet therefore corresponds to the sum of the UTXOs spendable with the relevant private key.
The UTXO model is contrasted with the account model. One of its functions is to prevent double spending, since each UTXO can be spent only once. New UTXOs are also created through mining, within the limits of the total supply specified by the protocol. Unlike fiat currency, whose issuance is managed by central banks, the supply of these crypto-assets is determined by the network’s rules.
Disclaimer: This entry is for information purposes only and describes a technical concept.