Petty Compliant Miners

Definition ∞ Petty Compliant Miners refers to smaller-scale cryptocurrency miners who strictly adhere to protocol rules and regulatory guidelines. These miners prioritize network integrity and legal compliance over maximizing immediate, potentially illicit, gains. They contribute to the decentralization and security of a network by honestly validating transactions and extending the blockchain. Their collective actions are vital for maintaining the trustworthiness of proof-of-work systems.
Context ∞ The discussion surrounding Petty Compliant Miners often highlights their importance in preventing centralization and upholding network censorship resistance. A key debate involves the economic viability of smaller miners in an environment dominated by large mining pools. Critical future developments include innovations in mining hardware and energy efficiency that could allow smaller, compliant entities to remain competitive and decentralized.