>I guess what I am confused by is that the transaction processing is much easier than mining (ie it's not going to get more and more difficult to do do over tim

>I guess what I am confused by is that the transaction processing is much easier than mining (ie it's not going to get more and more difficult to do do over time) Are you sure this is true? My understanding is that the proof-of-work requirements will be the same even after no new coins can be mined. Otherwise, the integrity of bitcoin would be threatened.