Sequential Proof-of-Work Mining to Limit ASIC Parallelization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blockchain mining systems face challenges in maintaining decentralization, security, and reducing computational resource requirements, particularly due to the use of powerful ASIC devices that lead to potential centralization and high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a non-parallelisable mining (NPM) technique using a sequential algorithm that requires miners to compete to find a proof of computation (PoC) solution in sequence, ensuring consensus and security while minimizing parallel computing, thus reducing resource intensity and hardware inequalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If parallelised mining using ASIC devices is used, then mining productivity and computational power are improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemining productivityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional parallelised mining approach by implementing a non-parallelisable mining algorithm. Instead of allowing multiple ASIC devices to work simultaneously on different portions of the proof-of-work puzzle, the system requires miners to solve a sequential challenge where each miner must complete the entire computation chain from scratch. This inversion eliminates the energy inefficiency of parallelised ASIC mining while maintaining competitive mining productivity through fair sequential competition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the mining algorithm from parallelisable to non-parallelisable. By designing a computation chain where each step depends on the previous step's output, the system transforms the mining process into a sequential operation. This parameter change renders high-power ASIC devices less advantageous and reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining acceptable mining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If parallelised mining using ASIC devices is used, then mining productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemining productivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If powerful ASIC devices are used, then mining productivity is improved, but network security and decentralization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemining productivityVSAvoidnetwork security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent effectively renders expensive ASIC devices obsolete by designing a mining algorithm that cannot be efficiently parallelised. This allows ordinary, less powerful devices to compete fairly, reducing the advantage of investing in expensive, complex ASIC hardware. The system prioritizes network security and decentralization by making mining accessible to a broader range of participants rather than those with specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Use of energy by stationary object

If non-parallelisable mining is used, then energy consumption and device complexity are reduced, but mining productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidmining productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the mining algorithm from parallelisable to non-parallelisable. By designing a mining challenge where each miner must sequentially complete a chain of computations, the system reduces the advantage of using powerful parallelised hardware. This parameter change lowers energy consumption and device complexity requirements while maintaining mining productivity through fair sequential competition among miners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3970048B1Systems and methods for non-parallelised mining on a proof-of-work blockchain network

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 NCHAIN LICENSING AG

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AI summary

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for ensuring the security of a blockchain and associated network, and for enabling the establishment of consensus regarding the state of the blockchain. A method of the disclosure may be implemented by one or more nodes on a blockchain network, using a non-parallelisable algorithm to calculate an output based on a computational difficulty parameter, a hash of at least one blockchain transaction; and/or a hash of at least one blockchain block header. The non-parallelisable, inherently sequential algorithm comprises at least one of the following operations or a combination thereof: a recursive operation, a modular exponentiation and/or a repeated squaring operation.