What is the Thanos Hard Fork?
The Thanos hard fork is an upcoming upgrade for Ethereum Classic (ETC) scheduled for block 11,700,000, which will be mined between November 28 and November 29. This upgrade is essential for extending the usability of older graphics cards with 4 GB of RAM, giving miners a few more years of mining potential.
Why is This Fork Necessary?
The core of the issue lies in the Ethash mining algorithm, which utilizes a data structure known as the DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph). This dataset grows at a rate of about one gigabyte every 18 months, and it is perilously close to hitting the 4 GB mark. Once that happens, many graphics cards and some ASIC miners will become obsolete for Ethereum Classic mining. That’s a downer, wouldn’t you agree?
The Technical Side: DAG and ASIC Resistance
Ethash was designed with ASIC resistance in mind. As the memory costs escalate due to the expanding DAG, many ASIC devices face obsolescence, discouraging hefty investments into the mining hardware.
By halving the DAG size through the Thanos update, Ethereum Classic aims to allow existing 4 GB devices to continue mining for up to three more years. This is akin to giving your old computer a new lease on life—complete with questionable performance but still somewhat functional!
Community Support for the Upgrade
The Ethereum Classic community recognizes the need for this upgrade. Considering the prevalence of 51% attacks on ETC, the push is on to bolster the network’s hash rate and safety from manipulative attacks. With statistics showing around 24% of users on platforms like Hive OS still using 4 GB cards, the Thanos hard fork could potentially bring in many more miners.
Future Considerations: Beyond Thanos
While the Thanos hard fork is viewed as a temporary boost, there’s ongoing debate within the community regarding an entirely new mining algorithm. This proposal, while promising, is generating controversy and will require significant time to implement, if it ever comes to fruition.
The Bigger Picture: Attracting Ethereum Miners
With Ethereum expected to kick 4 GB miners out of the game soon, there’s an opportunity for Ethereum Classic to attract those miners. As it stands, Ethereum’s hash rate dwarfs that of its classic counterpart, sitting at just over 1%. However, even a trickle of Ethereum miners switching to ETC could significantly enhance its security.
Conclusion: A Fork in the Road
The Thanos hard fork represents a critical juncture for Ethereum Classic. While it may not solve all the problems, it serves as a short-term lifeboat for miners relying on older hardware, eager to keep their mining dreams afloat for a bit longer.
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