Non-Parallelizable Mining

Definition ∞ Non-parallelizable mining refers to a type of cryptographic puzzle in a proof-of-work system where the computational effort cannot be easily divided and executed simultaneously across multiple machines or cores to gain an advantage. This design aims to prevent specialized hardware from disproportionately dominating the mining process. It promotes a more decentralized and equitable distribution of mining power. This resists centralization.
Context ∞ News discussing ASIC resistance and decentralization in proof-of-work cryptocurrencies often refers to non-parallelizable mining. Reports on protocol upgrades or new mining algorithms highlight how this property helps level the playing field for general-purpose hardware. The goal is to resist the centralization of mining power, thereby enhancing network security and resilience against attacks.