Understanding Proof of Burn

Being one of a few consensus mechanisms, proof of burn is an algorithm implemented by a blockchain network to guarantee that all involved nodes come to an agreement.

They should all be on the same page about the valid and true state of the blockchain network. This algorithm is also implemented to avoid the chance of coin double-spending. The proof-of-burn protocol is based on the idea of “burning” coins held by miners who have granted them mining rights.

The third attempt at developing a system to combat fraud on a blockchain while also improving the utility of the blockchain as a tool for transactions is proof of burn. The primary and most widely utilized method for preventing fraudulent activity on a blockchain is proof of work and proof of stake, which is the technique used by Bitcoin.

The blockchain is a cryptocurrency’s main database. It contains all transaction-related data in blocks, which are the data storage units of the blockchain. A block is committed only when all blockchain nodes agree on a set of transactions that they find acceptable.

An automated procedure is required to guarantee that the network’s participating nodes only validate valid transactions due to the blockchain’s autonomous and decentralized nature. Consensus mechanism algorithms are used to carry out this vital function.

How does it work?

A Proof of Burn (PoB) is a variant form of consensus that attempts to address the proof of work system’s high energy usage. Often, proof of burn is called a proof of work system, without energy waste. 

Iain Stewart, the creator of the PoB algorithm, links it to mining rigs: burnt coins are like mining rigs. In this metaphor, a miner burns their coins to acquire a virtual mining rig that gives them the ability to create blocks. The more coins burned by the miner, the larger their virtual mining “rig” will be.

Miners send the currency to a verifiably un-spendable address in order to burn them. This procedure doesn’t utilize much energy (other than the wasted coins) and ensures that the network remains agile and active.

Miners are permitted to incinerate their own currency or the currency of an alternative chain, such as Bitcoin, in accordance with the protocol. In return, they receive a native currency token-based incentive for completing the operation.

You may send transactions to the network that will destroy your own cryptocurrency coins. Other participants can mine overtop of your block, and you can take the transactions of other participants and incorporate them into your own.

Essentially, this burning activity allows the network to be flexible and participants are rewarded for their actions (both burning other people’s coins and their own).

To eliminate the prospect of early adopters gaining an unfair advantage, the proof of burn method has incorporated a mechanism that encourages miners to destroy their crypto assets on a regular basis.

The strength of burnt coins “decays” or devolves over time, with each new block produced. This encourages miners to engage in frequent activity rather than making a one-time, early investment. Miners may also need to upgrade their equipment in order to maintain a competitive advantage.

Proof of Burn – example

It is possible to adapt a PoB implementation. Slimcoin, for example, is a virtual currency network that employs proof of burn and allows miners to destroy coins in order to compete for the next block and win blocks over a period of at least a year.

Essentially, Slimcoin’s proof of burn implementation combines three algorithms: proof of work, proof of stake, and the basic proof of burn idea.

The process of burning coins is based on proof of work; the more coins you burn, the greater your chances are to mine them, ensuring proof of stake; and the whole ecosystem adheres to the proof of burn theory.

The main idea behind PoB

The primary purpose of the proof of burn protocol was to develop a consensus technology that required significant investment and was more efficient than proof of work.

The goal of this is to use tangible and realistic resources like a cryptocurrency or token with genuine value to acquire the capacity to mine within the blockchain in order to allow you to earn money without investing any money.

Imagine the following scenario: a miner using Proof of Burn to create and verify blocks must pay a specific amount of money in the form of cryptocurrencies or tokens.

If the miner pays this fee, they will have the ability to mine and verify transactions on the blockchain. It does so in an effort to make mining more difficult by lowering its cost as much as possible while still deterring denial of service attacks and 51% assaults.

After all, performing such an assault would necessitate financial expenditure in euros and the acquisition of bitcoin from the blockchain. Doing so would boost the value, removing any incentive to perform these activities.

Proof of Burn advantages and disadvantages

Although the concepts and opinions about this protocol vary greatly according to the user, we can summarize the main advantages and drawbacks of its use.

Pros

• The proof of burn (PoB) protocol does not require a huge amount of energy or processing power. As a result, it is expected that this technique, which does not rely on 100% renewable energy, will be considerably more ecologically friendly and sustainable.
• The burning of cryptocurrencies and tokens is accomplished virtually, so no mining gear or hardware is required. The sector has a significant imbalance in terms of benefits due to the fact that centralized hardware manufacturers have been eliminated.
• The proof of burn (PoB) is a mechanism that encourages miners to make investments (burn) with their coins and tokens in order to guarantee the network’s stability and security. As a result, it assures honest and trustworthy behavior from network miners who do not want to lose their funds.
• Aside from providing investors with the certainty they want, it also encourages long-term project investment, which maintains and ensures price stability.
• This technique may be utilized for a variety of things, including adding value to a new cryptocurrency or burning unsold cryptocurrencies in ICOs.
• Another advantage of the Proof of Burn (PoB) is that it enables the much easier distribution of tokens and cryptocurrencies in a more decentralized and equitable manner.

Cons

• Tokens to be burned may come from other cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin) or alternative proof of pork (PoW) algorithms. This procedure has several factors that make it less environmentally friendly for many individuals.
• The verification procedure for each miner’s work is considerably more time-consuming than that in proof of work (PoW).
• Because proof of burn (PoB) users have no assurance that the erased cryptocurrencies or tokens will be recovered, they encounter the same risk as those who invest.

The proof of burn (PoB) protocol is a two-stage consensus method. To create the coins it will burn, it must rely on the operation of another protocol (such as PoW or PoS).

Although the complexity of mining these PoW or PoS algorithms isn’t particularly difficult (like in other currencies), their existence provides us a security start for the system. In addition to this, PoB uses various security mechanisms to ensure that coin burning is not tampered with throughout its operation.

The PoB mechanism is a new kind of consensus algorithm. As a result, it has not yet been shown to function on large networks. The PoB mechanism has the following advantages: It is long-term and highly decentralized in its mining procedure, and many others we mentioned above.