What are the differences between ZPoW and traditional PoW such as Bitcoin?
Answer: Compared to Bitcoin's SHA-256 PoW, ZPoW differs in both algorithmic form and strategy:
1) Algorithm Complexity: Bitcoin PoW pursues simple hash collisions, which can be easily accelerated by ASIC chips; ZPoW employs complex computations (such as random matrix determinant calculations), making it difficult to develop ASIC-specific mining machines.
2) Hardware Friendliness: Traditional PoW heavily relies on high-performance hardware, making it nearly impossible for average individuals to compete with CPU power; ZPoW aims to minimize parallelization advantages, allowing consumer hardware to participate in mining.
3) Multi-Algorithm Mixing: Bitcoin has a single algorithm, resulting in high concentration risk; ZPoW introduces various computational tasks for dynamic balancing, preventing monopolization of a single algorithm.
4) Energy Consumption: BTC PoW consumes an astonishing amount of electricity due to large-scale power competition; ZPoW is designed for more efficient computation (useful computation or reducing unnecessary computation), resulting in lower energy consumption at the same security level.
5) Difficulty Adjustment: Both have difficulty adjustment mechanisms to ensure target block times; Bitcoin adjusts every 2016 blocks, while SCDO's difficulty adjustment is more flexible (potentially more frequent or independently adjusted by algorithm) to adapt to a mixed algorithm architecture. Overall, ZPoW is a deep improvement on traditional PoW, aimed at retaining the decentralization and security advantages of proof of work while addressing its efficiency and fairness issues.