See Also
Proof of Capacity (PoC) Summary [Cryptocurrency consensus mechanisms]
Proof of Capacity (PoC) consensus algorithms require network participants to prove they have performed a certain amount of storage operations in order to mine a valid block. Where Proof of Work consensus requires users to prove they have performed computations in time (to guarantee a 10 minute space between Bitcoin blocks, for example), Proof of […]
Proof of Space Time (PoST) Summary [Cryptocurrency consensus mechanisms]
Physicists have been discussing spacetime since the early 1900’s. A very smart person, by the name of Albert Einstein, modeled space as 4 dimensions rather than just 3. The axis were then X, Y, Z and …. time. Fortunately, you don’t need to understand Relativity Theory in order to grasp Proof of Spacetime! PoST Fast […]
Proof of Elapsed Time (POET) Summary [Cryptocurrency consensus mechanisms]
In this poetically named consensus mechanism, network participants prove that they have slept for a random amount of time before being able to mint a block. POET was released by Intel in 2016 and was originally aimed at trusted computing using Intel CPU’s. A special instruction set called Software Guard Extensions (SGX) allows programs to […]
ELI5 Proof of Stake (PoS) – How does PoS work?
In the cryptocurrency universe, Proof of Stake (PoS) is one of the most popular alternatives to the Proof of Work (PoW) family of consensus mechanisms. While PoW systems invest large amounts of energy to make sure transactions are legit, PoS does not require mining hardware. Proof of Stake “miners” (stakers) must lock a financial stake […]