On September 15, 2022, the Ethereum blockchain underwent a significant transition from a Proof of Work (PoW) to a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus model, marked by the Ethereum merge. While widely recognized within the cryptocurrency industry, this shift was met with opposition to the PoS method, culminating in the creation of EthereumPoW (ETHW).
The upgrade effectively rendered ETH miners obsolete, as validators now play a pivotal role by staking ETH to ensure network security. EthereumPoW, a forked version of Ethereum, emerged to cater specifically to those who continue to engage in the Proof of Work mining process for ETH.
What is EthereumPoW
In anticipation of the highly anticipated Ethereum upgrade and the subsequent hard fork, a new iteration of the Ethereum network emerged, known as EthereumPoW. Unlike a typical fork, EthereumPoW envisions a harmonious fusion of Ethereum's distinctive smart contract capabilities with the established security and decentralized attributes of the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism. At the core of this ecosystem lies ETHW, driving transactions and facilitating active engagement in network governance.
The EthereumPoW team
The EthereumPoW team comprises a group of developers and enthusiasts committed to building a decentralized, open-source, and permissionless blockchain platform. The team is led by Chandler Guo and includes Kevin Wang, David Li, and Peter Zhang. The EthereumPoW team believes Ethereum’s pre-merge blockchain is the most promising platform for housing decentralized applications (dApps).
How does EthereumPoW work
EthereumPoW operates on a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus model, where miners tackle intricate mathematical challenges to validate transactions and generate new tokens. This approach is revered for its enhanced decentralization, as it demands substantial computational power to verify and endorse transactions. Miners within the EthereumPoW network receive rewards in the form of ETHW, the native token of this chain.
Notably, EthereumPoW represents a significant divergence from Ethereum 2.0, marked by its status as a hard fork. This divergence is enduring, signifying that the two network versions operate independently due to disparities in node consensus. Consequently, the hard fork establishes an autonomous variant of ETH.
EthereumPoW’s native token: ETHW
ETHW is the native token fueling the EthereumPoW network, serving as a means of value transfer and incentivization. Operating within the EthereumPoW blockchain, it facilitates transaction validation and network security through the Proof of Work (PoW) mechanism. Beyond its foundational role, ETHW boasts utility as a versatile token, encompassing functionalities such as settling transaction fees, engaging with decentralized applications (dApps), and accessing an array of services offered within the EthereumPoW ecosystem.
ETHW tokenomics
Similar to ETH, ETHW has no maximum supply as each token is obtainable through mining, similar to PoW coins like Bitcoin and Litecoin.
ETHW use cases
EthereumPoW, with its unique marriage of PoW and Ethereum's capabilities, brings a host of use cases to the table. Although they adopt different consensus mechanisms, meaning mining isn’t possible on Ethereum 2.0, ETHW has similar uses to ETH, including smart contract execution, dApp deployment, and fees for transactions. Furthermore, miners on the EthereumPoW chain are rewarded with ETHW, the native token of the EthereumPoW chain.
Distribution of ETHW
ETHW is distributed as follows:
- 70 percent: Distributed to ETH and WETH holders via an airdrop
- 20 percent: Given to the EthereumPoW team and advisors
- 10 percent: Marketing and development
The distribution of ETHW to ETH and WETH holders was done at a ratio of 1 ETH:1 ETHW. This means that for every 1 ETH held at the time of the snapshot, the holder was able to receive 1 ETHW.
EthereumPoW’s future plans
The EthereumPoW team plans to focus on two key areas: expanding the ecosystem's offerings and bolstering its network's capabilities. The team aims to enrich the EthereumPoW ecosystem by attracting developers to construct dApps and various projects on their platform.
In parallel, there's a push to enhance EthereumPoW's scalability and security. Lessons from past scalability challenges guide efforts toward building a robust, efficient network. Security, the cornerstone of any successful blockchain, is also under the microscope for continuous improvement.
