The Komodo project created the security method known as delayed proof of work, or dPoW. It is essentially an altered version of the Proof of Work (PoW) consensus process that leverages the hashpower of the Bitcoin blockchain to improve network security. Komodo developers may use proof-of-work (dPoW) to protect not just their own network but also any future third-party chains that want to join the Komodo ecosystem. Actually, any project that uses a UTXO mechanism to create an autonomous blockchain may use dPoW.

How does dPoW Works?

Using Komodo as an example, the dPoW security mechanism was created and included into the Zcash code base, utilizing Bitcoin's hash rate to provide zero-knowledge privacy and boost network security. The Komodo system takes a snapshot of its own blockchain every ten minutes. Next, in a step known as notarization, the snapshot is added to a block on the Bitcoin network. In essence, this procedure makes a backup of the whole Komodo system, which is stored on the blockchain of Bitcoin.

In technical terms, by carrying out a transaction on the Komodo chain, the community-elected notary nodes of Komodo write a block hash from each dPoW-protected blockchain into the Komodo ledger. The notary nodes store a single block hash onto the Komodo chain by using the OP_RETURN instruction.

To make sure that everyone on the network believes that the block is legitimate, the notary nodes choose a block hash that is around 10 minutes old. Every blockchain network nevertheless has to reach an agreement on every block. All that the notary nodes do is log a block hash from a block that was already mined.

PoW vs dPoW

Preserving network security by discouraging cyberattacks like Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) assaults is one of the primary objectives of the Proof of Work (PoW) algorithm. In summary, the proof-of-work (PoW) algorithm is a critical component of the mining process that is extremely expensive to manufacture yet simple for others to verify.

PoW-based blockchains are made for extremely difficult mining. To mine a new block, miners must figure out a challenging cryptography challenge. This kind of method requires a lot of computing labor, which is quite expensive both in terms of power and hardware. Therefore, the fact that the mining process requires a significant financial commitment and relies on network consensus is one of the reasons Proof of Work blockchains are safe.

dPoW is not regarded as a consensus method since, in contrast to PoW, it is not utilized to reach consensus on fresh blocks. Rather, it is an additional security measure to the standard PoW consensus rules. By preventing notarized blocks from being rearranged, DPoW significantly improves the security and resilience of blockchains against 51% assaults.