Cryptocurrency Mining and Consensus Algorithms
Teaching hours1
Credit hours1
Course feesMember:$0.00Non-member:$100.00

Description

Major Related too : Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, Finance, Cybersecurity, Blockchain Technology, Software Engineering, Business Administration

Description : Cryptocurrency mining is the process by which transactions are verified and added to a blockchain. This process involves solving complex mathematical problems using computational power, with miners being rewarded in cryptocurrency for their efforts. The most well-known consensus algorithm is Proof of Work (PoW), used by Bitcoin and others. PoW requires miners to solve cryptographic puzzles, ensuring network security by making it costly and resource-intensive to manipulate the blockchain. However, PoW is criticized for its high energy consumption, as it relies on extensive computational power. To address energy concerns, alternative consensus algorithms have been developed. Proof of Stake (PoS) is a prominent example, where validators are chosen to create new blocks based on the number of coins they hold and are willing to "stake" as collateral. This method is more energy-efficient than PoW, as it doesn't require significant computational power. Other algorithms include Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS), where stakeholders vote for a small number of delegates to validate transactions, and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT), which is used in permissioned blockchains to reach consensus through a multi-phase voting process. These consensus mechanisms have a significant impact on network security and energy consumption. While PoW offers robust security through its high computational demands, it is environmentally unsustainable. In contrast, PoS and its variants provide a more energy-efficient alternative while maintaining sufficient security for many applications. The choice of consensus algorithm is crucial for balancing security, decentralization, and sustainability in cryptocurrency networks.

Syllabus

  • Cryptocurrency Mining and Consensus Algorithms
    • 13 Different Crypto Consensus Mechanisms & Proofs Explained: PoW, PoS, PoA, PoH, ZK...
    • All Major Blockchain Consensus Algorithms Explained | Consensus Mechanism in Blockchain
    • DTSC: 4.9 Blockchain’s Magic Ingredient: hashing & its consensus algorithms
    • What Are Consensus Mechanisms in Blockchain and Crypto! Have a Listen as we Demystify for You :)
    • How Application Developers Can Benefit from Blockchain / DLT Consensus Algorithms
    • INTRO TO BLOCKCHAIN CONSENSUS MECHANISMS - How do "Proof of Work" and "Proof of Stake" work
    • Cryptocurrency Mining: Proof-of-Work Consensus
    • Blockchain Consensus Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence
    • Proof-of-Work & Proof-of-Stake: Crypto Consensus | Fidelity Investments
    • The difference between trading and investing by Gino Dalessio