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Merged mining is mining for more than one cryptocurrency, that works on the same algorithm. The concept was a mining model that came about around 2014 with the Auxiliary proof of work (AuxPoW) protocol. While it was not something contemplated in the original white paper on cryptocurrency by Satoshi Nakamoto, he mentioned it on a Bitcointalk thread a few years later. Merged mining allows a miner to mine in more than one blockchain simultaneously. The cryptocurrencies operate on a shared algorithm basis.
Merged mining also assists in warding off security concerns like chain attacks. It is now generally done through merged mining pools without additional resource investment by a user. This post discusses merged mining and its nuances.
What exactly is merged mining?
Merged mining, in technical jargon, is also called ‘Auxiliary Proof of Work,’ which is the protocol it is based on. A rather rudimentary understanding of the concept involves using the work done on one primary blockchain in another auxiliary blockchain(s). These blockchains, however, have to be operating on the same hash algorithm as the primary blockchain. The computational work done over the primary network is essentially shared across other auxiliary networks and leveraged accordingly. It does not require additional computational effort to conduct merged mining, just supporting architectural changes in the auxiliary networks to accept the PoW done for the parent blockchain.
The primary blockchain does not require any major modification for merged mining. For the auxiliary blockchain network, however, you will have to use the assistance of something called a ‘hard fork’ to modify it. Forks are usually introduced to add new features to a blockchain. A rudimentary understanding of it- forks introduce a new set of rules for the crypto to follow.
The auxiliary blockchains also have an increased amount of security due to operating on the same hashing power as the primary blockchain. Auxiliary blockchains sometimes also gain more traction as crypto coins owing to being associated with the primary blockchain. Namecoin, for instance, gained some ground after being merge-mined along with Bitcoin. It was also one of the first implementations of merged mining. It was followed by the public merge-mining of Dogecoin with Litecoin in 2014 as well.
As a result of which, Dogecoin, which was the auxiliary cryptocurrency, witnessed exponential growth in the following weeks. It was a successful enterprise in merge-mining as it also led to Dogecoin’s position being cemented as a popular crypto coin for years to come. The combination mining also led to improvements in its security network over time.
There is a high incentive for merged mining, as the rewards are extra for no additional hours to be put in by the miner. There is, however, extra maintenance work required in maintaining two networks for the miner.
Pros of merged mining:
- It allows the same mining equipment to be used to generate new blocks in several different networks simultaneously.
- Due to merged mining, the power of the hash in blockchain networks increases. It helps to generate greater computational power for networks and an increase in their level of difficulty, which makes the networks more secure and robust by having a larger computational capacity or, in other words, hashing. It can become a great advantage for small blockchains with less hashing power and a low level of security. It can also reduce the probability of suffering attacks. Namecoin became secure in the same way.
- The same mining equipment used for block mining in several networks increases the profitability and performance of the mining equipment. And therefore mining activities as well.
- Miners who execute merged mining get many opportunities to generate new blocks using the same mining algorithm, e.g., SHA-256. It will benefit the miners in receiving rewards for block mining, too.
What is a merged mining pool?
A merged mining pool is created out of combining the resources of a large number of people. The idea behind creating a pool is to increase the probability of finding the solutions to a block. Combining computational resources results in better facilitation of this goal.
With merged mining network complexities in 2021, solo mining is gradually becoming unfeasible for generating any profit. With a merged mining pool, miners also collectively devise rules of the pool for a more constant source of revenue. Some amount of mining fee is charged for the maintenance of the pool, as well as for the services provided. The remaining mining rewards are divided among the participants.
Before selecting a merged mining pool, ensure your blockchain software is compatible with the pool. An overall assessment of the pool’s security, server location, fee, and reputation must also be done before deciding.
The size of the mining pool is also a factor to look for while choosing a suitable mining pool. Small mining pools have fewer miners and low hash rates. Suppose you choose to join a large pool; you have to be aware of the mining difficulty, especially if your equipment isn’t powerful enough. Thus, a balance is required between the size of the pool and your hashing power. If you wish to learn more about cryptocurrency mining pools, you should check out our blog.
Conclusively, merged mining is a process by which the computational work over one network can be harnessed over others. Miners might sometimes create a combination of networks called a merged mining pool. This aids faster mining and provides additional resources. The onus lies on the miners to pick a merged mining pool that suits their needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Bitcoins Are There?
There are 18,730,931.25 Bitcoins in circulation as of June 2021. The total number of Bitcoins that would ever be there is just 21 million. On average, 144 blocks are mined every day, with 6.25 Bitcoins per block. The average number of new Bitcoins mined every day is 900, calculated by multiplying 144 by 6.25.
How Bitcoin Mining Works?
Bitcoin mining is a crucial element of the blockchain ledger's upkeep and development and the act of bringing new Bitcoins into circulation. It's done with the help of cutting-edge computers that solve exceedingly challenging computational arithmetic problems. Auditor miners are rewarded for their work. They're in charge of ensuring that Bitcoin transactions go through smoothly and legitimately. This standard was established by Satoshi Nakamoto, the founder of Bitcoin, to keep Bitcoin users ethical. By confirming transactions, miners assist in avoiding the "double-spending issue."
What Is The Meaning Of Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a type of cryptocurrency that was first introduced in January 2009. It is invented based on the key concepts and notions presented in a whitepaper by Satoshi Nakamoto, a mysterious and pseudonymous figure. The name of the individual or people who invented technology is yet unknown. Bitcoin promises reduced transaction fees than existing online payment methods, and a decentralized authority controls it, unlike government-issued currencies.
How Bitcoin Works?
Bitcoin is based on the blockchain, a distributed digital ledger. As the name implies, blockchain is a connected database made up of blocks that hold information about each transaction, such as the date and time, total value, buyer and seller, and a unique identifier for each exchange. Entries are linked in chronological sequence, forming a digital chain of blocks. Blockchain is decentralized, meaning a centralized institution does not own it
Who Created Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the first application of the concept of "cryptocurrency," first articulated in 1998 on the cypherpunks mailing list by Wei Dai, who proposed a new form of money that relies on cryptography rather than a central authority to manage its creation and transactions. Satoshi Nakamoto published the initial Bitcoin specification and proof of concept on the cryptography mailing list in 2009. Satoshi exited the project in late 2010, with little information about himself available. Since then, the community has evolved, with numerous people working on Bitcoin. Satoshi's anonymity has sparked unfounded fears, many of which may be traced back to a misunderstanding of Bitcoin's open-source nature.
How Many Bitcoins Will Ever Be Created?
The source code of Bitcoin stipulates that it must have a restricted and finite quantity. As a result, only 21 million Bitcoins will ever be generated. These Bitcoins are added to the Bitcoin supply at a predetermined rate of one block every ten minutes on average. The supply of Bitcoins will be depleted once miners have unlocked this number of Bitcoins. It's possible, however, that the protocol for Bitcoin will be altered to allow for a higher supply.
Is Bitcoin Cash A Good Investment?
Bitcoin Cash is a hard fork of Bitcoin formed in 2017 to address Bitcoin's scalability and challenges. Bitcoin Cash seeks to make global transactions faster, cheaper, and more secure. Bitcoin Cash is now accepted by thousands of online and offline businesses all over the world. Studied correctly, Bitcoin Cash may be an investment worthy of consideration.
What Are The Chances Of Bitcoin Crashing?
Two Yale University economists (Yukun Liu and Aleh Tsyvinski) produced research titled "Risks and Returns of Cryptocurrency" in 2018. They looked at the possibility of Bitcoin crashing to zero in a single day. The authors discovered that the chances of an undefined tragedy crashing Bitcoin to zero ranged from 0 percent to 1.3 percent and was around 0.4 percent at the time of publishing, using Bitcoin's history returns to determine its risk-neutral disaster probability. Others claim that because Bitcoin has no intrinsic value, it will inevitably crash to zero. On the other hand, Bitcoin advocates argue that the currency is backed by customer confidence and mathematics.
How Does Bitcoin Technology Work?
The blockchain is the foundation of Bitcoin. It is a decentralized, distributed ledger that tracks the provenance of digital assets. The data on a blockchain can't be changed by design, making it a real disruptor in industries like payments, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
What Type Of Currency Is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a type of digital currency or cryptocurrency. In January 2009, Bitcoin was established. It's based on Satoshi Nakamoto's ideas, which he laid out in a whitepaper. The name of the individual or people who invented the technology remains unknown.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency is not a legal tender and is currently unregulated. Kindly ensure that you undertake sufficient risk assessment when trading cryptocurrencies as they are often subject to high price volatility. The information provided in this section doesn't represent any investment advice or WazirX's official position. WazirX reserves the right in its sole discretion to amend or change this blog post at any time and for any reasons without prior notice.
