The Ethereum network is moving from a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus algorithm to a hybrid Proof of Stake (PoS)/Proof of Work (PoW) algorithm. The change is intended to improve scalability and security while also reducing energy consumption.
Ethereum’s PoW consensus algorithm is the same as Bitcoin’s. Miners compete to find the next block by solving a cryptographic puzzle.
The first miner to find the solution gets to add the block to the blockchain and receives a reward in ETH.
However, Ethereum’s PoW algorithm is not as secure as Bitcoin’s. Because Ethereum has more nodes than Bitcoin, it is easier for an attacker to control a majority of the network.
It is important to understand that Ethereum is in the early stages of development and its future is uncertain. There is no guarantee that it will become a proof-of-stake system, or that it will even continue to exist in its current form. Therefore, readers should exercise caution when considering investing in Ethereum or any other related technology.
This is called a 51% attack and it would allow the attacker to double spend ETH or prevent other transactions from being confirmed.
To address this issue, Ethereum is moving to a hybrid PoS/PoW algorithm. Under this system, there would be a group of validators who would be responsible for verifying transactions and creating new blocks.
These validators would be chosen based on their ETH holdings (stake). The more ETH they have staked, the greater their chances of being selected as a validator.
This system is more secure than PoW because it would be prohibitively expensive for an attacker to control a majority of the ETH supply in order to attack the network. Additionally, this system would be more scalable than PoW because fewer miners would be needed to validate transactions and create new blocks.
The switch to a hybrid PoS/PoW algorithm is scheduled to occur sometime in 2020. It remains to be seen whether or not this change will be successful in improving Ethereum’s scalability and security while also reducing energy consumption.