generatetoaddress

Generatetoaddress is a Bitcoin Core RPC call used to generate a specified number of new blocks and pay the coinbase rewards to a specified address. It is primarily a testing and development utility, providing deterministic block generation without external mining pressure. The command is available on regtest and, in some configurations, on testnet, but it is not exposed on the mainnet to prevent misuse and wasteful mining.

Syntax and parameters: generatetoaddress nblocks address (maxtries). nblocks is the number of blocks to create, address is the destination for the block rewards, and maxtries is an optional numeric parameter that limits the number of attempts per block to find a valid block in environments where such control is needed.

Return value: The call returns an array of block hashes, one for each generated block, allowing tests to reference the newly created blocks in automation or scripts.

Usage notes: Blocks generated with generatetoaddress are added to the node’s current best chain in regtest or testnet, and the operation does not require external miners. Because it bypasses normal mining processes, it is intended strictly for controlled testing scenarios. The function is often used in unit tests, integration tests, or development workflows where rapid block production and deterministic rewards are desirable. It should not be relied upon for production or mainnet operations, and developers should be aware that behavior may vary between networks and Core versions.

See also: generate, a legacy RPC formerly used for mining on older setups; other testnet/regtest tooling and mining utilities available in Bitcoin Core.