What is proof of work in the context of bitcoin?

3 answers

• Kawsar KawsarAug 17, 2020 · 5 years ago
  Proof of work is a consensus mechanism used in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to validate and secure transactions. Miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles, and the first one to find a solution gets to add a new block to the blockchain. This process requires a significant amount of computational power and energy, making it difficult for malicious actors to manipulate the network. It ensures that transactions are legitimate and prevents double-spending.
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• Augustien Bacarisas myangelsOct 08, 2021 · 4 years ago
  Proof of work is like a digital puzzle that miners need to solve to add new transactions to the blockchain. It's kind of like a race, where miners compete to find the solution first. This helps to secure the network because it would be extremely difficult for someone to solve the puzzle faster than all the other miners combined. It's a clever way to prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of the bitcoin system.
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• newOnedontJudjeMeJan 21, 2024 · 2 years ago
  Proof of work is an essential part of the bitcoin network. It ensures that transactions are valid and prevents any single entity from gaining too much control over the network. Miners play a crucial role in this process by dedicating their computational power to solve complex mathematical problems. Once a solution is found, it is verified by other nodes in the network. This decentralized consensus mechanism is what makes bitcoin secure and trustworthy.
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