Ledger Balance

A ledger balance is the amount an account or address is recorded as holding on a ledger at a given moment. On a public blockchain the ledger balance is derived from confirmed on-chain data, either account state or unspent outputs, and anyone can recompute it from the chain. On an exchange it means something quite different: the internal database figure the platform shows you, which may include unconfirmed deposits, open orders or funds locked as collateral, and which usually differs from your available balance. Exchange balances are a claim on the company, not coins you control, unless you withdraw to a wallet whose keys you hold. Check which balance a screen is showing before assuming funds are actually spendable.