Think of confirmations as security.

If you deposited a personal check from a total stranger 1/2 way around the world how long would you wait for it to clear ??

Checks can be returned sometimes several days or even weeks later ... the longer the time that goes by the more security you have.

Credit cards can be reversed instantly so there is no security there.


Compared to traditional systems bitcoin is actually very fast.

Also the 6 confirnation rule is / was chosen as a 'safe number...

There are academic papers published that show waiting more confirmatikns than six is safer and less is more risky.