Add Verthash to DigiByte MultiAlgo for Merged Mining with Vertcoin DIP-0012

[PoWFoundation]

= DigiByte Improvement Proposal: Add Verthash to DigiByte MultiAlgo for Merged Mining with Vertcoin =

== DIP Header ==
DIP: 0002
Title: Add Verthash to DigiByte MultiAlgo for Merged Mining with Vertcoin
Author: @0x_Aslan from the PoW Foundation [email protected]
Discussions-To: https://github.com/DigiByte-Core/dips/discussions/categories/dip-discussions
Comments-Summary: No comments yet.
Comments-URI: On this page
Status: Draft
Type: Standards Track
Created: 2025-05-12
License: BSD-2-Clause

== Abstract ==
This proposal suggests integrating the Verthash proof-of-work algorithm into DigiByte's existing MultiAlgo system to enable merged mining with Vertcoin. Verthash is an ASIC-resistant algorithm designed to be GPU-friendly, which aligns with DigiByte's philosophy of decentralization and broad mining accessibility. The addition of Verthash would allow miners to simultaneously mine DigiByte and Vertcoin, increasing DigiByte’s overall hashpower, enhancing network security, and fostering cross-community collaboration. This is modeled after the successful implementation of merged mining between Litecoin and Dogecoin.

== Copyright ==
This document is dual-licensed under the BSD 2-clause license and the Open Publication License (OPL 1.0) with no options exercised.

== Specification ==
The technical changes required to implement this DIP include:

• Adding Verthash to DigiByte's MultiAlgo consensus layer.
• Implementing AuxPoW (auxiliary proof-of-work) support for Verthash blocks to enable merged mining.
• Ensuring the difficulty adjustment algorithm (e.g., DigiShield) properly handles Verthash independently from other algorithms.
• Maintaining full compatibility with existing mining software by coordinating with the Vertcoin development team and ecosystem.
• Providing developer and miner documentation for setting up merged mining nodes and pools.

This integration must follow DigiByte's current block validation and reward structure, ensuring equal treatment of Verthash alongside the other supported algorithms (SHA256, Scrypt, Qubit, Skein, Odocrypt).

== Motivation ==
DigiByte’s MultiAlgo design was built to encourage mining decentralization and resilience against centralization attacks. However, current hashpower across DigiByte’s algos remains vulnerable to concentrated attacks due to stagnant or low participation from GPU miners.

Verthash presents a strategic opportunity. Vertcoin has maintained an active GPU mining community due to its anti-ASIC stance. Merged mining with Vertcoin would allow these miners to support both chains without additional energy consumption, boosting DigiByte’s total security budget. By adopting Verthash, DigiByte not only diversifies its mining algorithms, but gains a collaborative partner in the Vertcoin ecosystem.

Merged mining will also increase DigiByte's visibility, improve network health, and encourage additional developers and mining pool operators to build multi-chain infrastructure. It will make DigiByte a beacon chain in the GPU mining space, particularly as other coins become increasingly dominated by ASICs or move toward proof-of-stake.

== Rationale ==
The Litecoin-Dogecoin merged mining setup provides a strong precedent. In 2014, Dogecoin transitioned from independent Scrypt mining to a merged-mined setup with Litecoin, resulting in:

• Dramatic increases in network hashpower
• Greater miner incentives (dual rewards)
• Stronger community cohesion

Verthash is a memory-hard algorithm requiring large DAG files (~2GB+), deterring ASIC development while allowing mainstream GPU participation. Vertcoin’s current ecosystem includes compatible mining software, pool infrastructure, and an active userbase.

Merged mining with DigiByte would:

• Reinforce both networks’ security
• Increase miner profitability without raising energy costs
• Encourage long-term cooperation between DigiByte and Vertcoin communities

By leveraging shared values and infrastructure, this integration positions DigiByte as a leader in proof-of-work innovation and grassroots decentralization.

== Backwards Compatibility ==
This proposal is backwards compatible with existing DigiByte functionality. All existing algorithms and nodes will continue to function without disruption.

Verthash will be added as an additional optional algorithm. Legacy clients and pools that do not support Verthash will remain operable, and block validation logic will continue to honor blocks mined under the other five algorithms.

AuxPoW implementation will require full node support to verify merged-mined blocks. However, this support is modular and will not impact non-Verthash blocks or existing miners.

== Reference Implementation ==
A reference implementation will be provided via a fork of DigiByte Core after community discussion reaches consensus. Code will be modeled after prior AuxPoW implementations in other Bitcoin-derived chains and leverage Vertcoin's open-source Verthash infrastructure.

Test cases will include:

• Successful merged block propagation
• Difficulty re-target testing
• MultiAlgo reward balancing
• Pool integration tests with Vertcoin-compatible software (e.g., VerthashMiner, NOMP)

A testnet deployment will be used to trial merged mining prior to mainnet activation.

== Appendix ==
Resources:

• Vertcoin Verthash GitHub: https://github.com/vertcoin-project/VerthashMiner
• Litecoin-Dogecoin merged mining example: https://litecointalk.io/t/dogecoin-and-litecoin-merged-mining-explained/31632
• DigiByte GitHub: https://github.com/DigiByte-Core/digibyte
• AuxPoW reference: https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Merged_mining_specification

== Comments ==
Please post public comments to:
On this page

Private feedback and coordination may be sent to the DIP author directly or discussed within the DIP forum thread.

[JohnnyLawDGB]

Good Morning. Are you essentially proposing a sixth algorithm be added?

[JohnnyLawDGB]

Good morning! Yes, this proposal would add Verthash as a sixth algorithm within DigiByte’s MultiAlgo framework. Just like the existing five, it would operate independently with its own difficulty adjustment, and blocks would be selected based on the most work submitted. This maintains DigiByte’s algorithmic diversity while enabling merged mining with Vertcoin to strengthen overall network security and community alignment.

Thank you for the response: I've been contemplating multi-algo progression for quite some time. This is an interesting wrinkle to explore. In the past, we entertained replacement of some of the current asic dominated algo's with a more grassroots friendly randomx. I will do a bit of research here, but excited to hear more.

[davidisong4]

Great news from digibyte community!
keep it up 👍🏼
Love to see digibyte makes new and amazing integrations🔥🔥

[Davecrrypt]

Tho the proposal has some flaws it can still be worked on and adjusted as time goes on

[Reechard1158]

A very cool project 🔥

[DreyFrey]

This is great and lovely
Looking bullish

[ycagel]

Thank you for submitting this DIP.

[avhool]

This is a brilliant step toward decentralization and stronger network security. Great to see DigiByte and Vertcoin aligned on this!

[IBB04]

The future relies on partnership. This is the future in the present. Let's go there. #Vertcoin #DigiByte.

[ycagel]

More details on Verthash. Please correct if anything looks inaccurate.

Verthash is a memory-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) mining algorithm designed for the Vertcoin (VTC) cryptocurrency to prioritize GPU mining and resist ASIC and FPGA dominance. Introduced in January 2021 via a hard fork from the previous Lyra2REv3 algorithm, Verthash aims to democratize mining by making it accessible to consumer-grade hardware, particularly GPUs with at least 2GB of VRAM. Below is an in-depth explanation of its design, functionality, technical process, and purpose, drawing on available information.

Purpose and Design Philosophy
Verthash was developed to address the centralization of mining power caused by specialized hardware like ASICs and FPGAs, which had outcompeted GPUs in mining Vertcoin under the Lyra2REv3 algorithm. The Vertcoin project emphasizes decentralization, aiming to allow everyday users to mine using widely available hardware, similar to Bitcoin’s original vision. Verthash achieves this by:
Memory Intensity: Like Ethash (used by Ethereum), Verthash relies heavily on GPU memory bandwidth and latency rather than raw computational power, leveling the playing field for GPUs, ASICs, and FPGAs, as they all use similar high-speed memory (e.g., GDDR5/6).

Low Resource Usage: Verthash is optimized to reduce GPU core compute overhead, resulting in lower power consumption and heat output compared to algorithms like Ethash, making it more efficient for miners.

ASIC Resistance: By requiring a large memory footprint (over 1GB) and complex memory access patterns, Verthash increases the cost and complexity of developing ASICs or FPGAs, discouraging their use.

Accessibility: It supports older GPUs with as little as 2GB VRAM, enabling mining on hardware like AMD Radeon R9 280X or NVIDIA GTX 1080, which are no longer viable for Ethereum due to its larger DAG size.

Technical Mechanics of Verthash
Verthash’s algorithm is a memory-bound process that uses a large dataset (verthash.dat, ~1.2GB) and performs iterative memory accesses to compute hashes. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of its operation, based on community explanations and technical sources:
Initial Hash Generation:
The algorithm starts with an 80-byte block header (containing transaction data, previous block hash, etc.).

This header is hashed using the SHA3-256 function to produce a 32-byte initial array, which serves as the starting point for subsequent computations.

Pointer Array Creation:
A 512-byte array is generated, consisting of 128 4-byte pointers. These pointers are derived from the initial hash and are used to index into the verthash.dat file.

The pointers determine which parts of the dataset will be accessed during the mining process.

Verthash.dat Dataset:
The verthash.dat file is a static, pre-generated dataset over 1GB in size, required for mining. It can be created by the Vertcoin wallet (version 0.17.1 or later) or by VerthashMiner (version 0.6.2 or later) using the command ./VerthashMiner --gen-verthash-data verthash.dat.

The file is portable across systems and verified by the miner to ensure integrity. Generating it is resource-intensive, taking ~10 minutes on a modest CPU (e.g., Intel Core-i5 6500T).

The dataset is divided into 16-byte chunks, which are read during the mining process.

Iterative Memory Access:
The algorithm performs 4096 iterations of 32-byte reads from the verthash.dat file.

In each iteration:
Indexes into the dataset are modified using the FNV-1a (Fowler-Noll-Vo) hash function, which is lightweight and fast.

An accumulator (a running state) is updated based on the 32-byte chunk read from the dataset.

The indexes determine which 16-byte chunks are accessed, creating a pseudo-random memory access pattern.

This process is memory-latency-bound, as the speed depends on how quickly the GPU can fetch data from VRAM, not on computational power.

Final Hash Calculation:
After 4096 iterations, the initial 32-byte array is combined with the 4096 32-byte chunks read from the dataset.

The FNV-1a function is used again to mix these values in parallel, producing the final hash.

This hash is compared against the network’s target difficulty to determine if a valid block has been found.

Key Features and Optimizations
Memory Efficiency: Unlike Ethash, which requires over 4GB of VRAM for Ethereum’s DAG, Verthash’s 1.2GB dataset allows mining on GPUs with 2GB or more VRAM, supporting older cards like AMD Radeon RX 470/570 or NVIDIA GTX 710.

Low Power Consumption: Verthash reduces GPU core usage, leading to lower power draw (e.g., 20W less than Ethash at similar settings) and cooler operation (e.g., 36°C on 1080Ti at 52% power limit). This extends hardware lifespan and reduces electricity costs.

Tuning Similarity to Ethash: Miners can optimize Verthash performance by tuning GPU memory clocks (similar to Ethash), with a slight increase in core clock (20-30% higher). Memory latency is the primary bottleneck, not bandwidth.

Open-Source Implementation: VerthashMiner, the primary mining software, is open-source and supports AMD (OpenCL 1.2+) and NVIDIA (CUDA/OpenCL) GPUs. It includes features like solo and pooled mining, auto-configuration, and dataset verification.

[vertiond]

Hi everyone, I am a maintainer of Vertcoin-Core.

I agree with ycagel in that I believe it would make most sense to replace an existing algorithm that isn't GPU-dominated anymore. Verthash has been Vertcoin's most stable algorithm to date, enabling those with GPUs as low as 2GB VRAM to meaningfully contribute to consensus. The low power consumption of Verthash being memory-latency-bound has become one of its primary competitive advantages to the average hobby miner (often using our One-Click Miner) to easily do so while doing other resource-intensive tasks on their computers such as gaming.

One of our developers wrote up another description of how Verthash works here: https://www.reddit.com/r/vertcoin/comments/iqh5tk/undeniable_beauty_of_verthash_explained/

A link to verthash.cpp, as also described in the processes above: https://github.com/vertcoin-project/vertcoin-core/blob/master/src/crypto/verthash.cpp
...and the graph generation: https://github.com/vertcoin-project/vertcoin-core/blob/master/src/crypto/verthash_datfile.cpp

Overall, I think this is a really neat idea to reaffirm Digibyte's committment to decentralization by allowing GPUs to meaningfully contribute to consensus again. In addition, this would present an opportunity to bridge our communities and networks should AuxPoW be enabled.

[ycagel]

Hi everyone, I am a maintainer of Vertcoin-Core.

I agree with ycagel in that I believe it would make most sense to replace an existing algorithm that isn't GPU-dominated anymore. Verthash has been Vertcoin's most stable algorithm to date, enabling those with GPUs as low as 2GB VRAM to meaningfully contribute to consensus. The low power consumption of Verthash being memory-latency-bound has become one of its primary competitive advantages to the average hobby miner (often using our One-Click Miner) to easily do so while doing other resource-intensive tasks on their computers such as gaming.

One of our developers wrote up another description of how Verthash works here: https://www.reddit.com/r/vertcoin/comments/iqh5tk/undeniable_beauty_of_verthash_explained/

A link to verthash.cpp, as also described in the processes above: https://github.com/vertcoin-project/vertcoin-core/blob/master/src/crypto/verthash.cpp ...and the graph generation: https://github.com/vertcoin-project/vertcoin-core/blob/master/src/crypto/verthash_datfile.cpp

Overall, I think this is a really neat idea to reaffirm Digibyte's committment to decentralization by allowing GPUs to meaningfully contribute to consensus again. In addition, this would present an opportunity to bridge our communities and networks should AuxPoW be enabled.

What are the cons of Verthash? Any disadvantages or concerns?

[deaner239]

As a DigiByte holder, I would benefit significantly from a merged mining arrangement with Vertcoin because it would enhance network security, increase hash power, and potentially lead to greater exposure and adoption for both blockchains. Merged mining allows miners to secure both chains simultaneously without additional energy consumption, making it more attractive for miners and reducing the risk of 51% attacks. With stronger security and more consistent block rewards, the DigiByte network would become more robust and resilient. Additionally, collaboration with Vertcoin, which shares similar decentralization and grassroots values, could spark joint development efforts, community growth, and increased attention from the broader crypto ecosystem—all of which could positively impact DigiByte’s long-term value and utility.

[Alvie]

@ycagel the disadvantages I can think of are quite minor in my opinion (though they may sound quite drastic):

1. As with any algorithm that is meant for consumer hardware, it may be used by botnets. Usually this is not to attack the chain, but just to profit by mining on PCs when the owner doesn't know it's mining. It's very rare with GPUs, and as Verthash isn't a CPU algorithm, it shouldn't really be a problem, especially as DigiByte has multi-algos.
2. Development for it will take time and effort. May be difficult for developers to integrate Verthash into Core and other services. Service providers would also need to update their nodes.
3. verthash.dat generation takes time (up to half an hour usually) and it'll take longer for users and service providers to spin up nodes. It will also take up more space in memory.
4. While it is open to any GPU with 2GB or more (assuming they have the required OpenCL / CUDA capabilities - which is most of them apart from some very old GPUs), more modern GPUs with faster memory perform way better than older ones. Expected mining reward may vary significantly depending on the device used.

Question directed towards Vertcoin Devs:

(I may be misunderstanding how verthash.dat is generated). Is the following correct? The verthash.dat on both chains would need to be created with the same "seed" and graph index in order for "merge-mining"/"auxiliary-PoW" to be possible? Vertcoin has never changed this in the past (as it has not been necessitated for any reason). If one coin changes it, then mining can still happen individually, but merge mining may not be possible unless they both update the parameters to be equal.

https://github.com/vertcoin-project/vertcoin-core/blob/efc96b71d0f968b672934291e4870fa251a81c5f/src/crypto/verthash_datfile.cpp#L479

@vertiond any ideas? Thanks

[vertiond]

What are the cons of Verthash? Any disadvantages or concerns? @ycagel

To me, the biggest disadvantage is that Digibyte-Core and all other clients performing client-side validation will have to generate verthash.dat at first startup and ideally load it into RAM on every subsequent startup. For small single-board computers or embedded devices, this can take a long time or not be possible to load into RAM in which it can be read from disk however some tiny devices like RPi Zero with 1GB RAM will struggle with verifying Verthash blocks during sync.

For what is only 1 of 5 algorithms, the weight might not be constituted.

[berkeke]

This is a well-thought-out and strategically sound proposal that aligns with DigiByte’s long-term goals of decentralization and mining diversity.

Strengths:

The rationale is solid, especially with the Litecoin–Dogecoin merged mining precedent.
Verthash is a strong candidate for ASIC resistance and GPU community engagement.
The proposal maintains backward compatibility and respects DigiByte’s existing consensus structure.
A well-articulated implementation/testing roadmap and open-source collaboration are big positives.

Suggestions:

Clarify reward scheduling – Will Verthash be added to the MultiAlgo round-robin on equal footing with existing algorithms?
Governance/coordination – It would help to outline how DigiByte and Vertcoin developers will coordinate rollout, documentation, and support.
Activation path – Consider detailing a soft-fork activation method, like BIP9 signaling or miner voting.
Security impact – A deeper dive into Verthash’s protection against rented hash attacks could strengthen the motivation section.
This proposal has the potential to bring long-term resilience and collaboration benefits to both ecosystems. Excited to see further community input and eventual testnet progress

[ycagel]

This is a well-thought-out and strategically sound proposal that aligns with DigiByte’s long-term goals of decentralization and mining diversity.

Strengths:

The rationale is solid, especially with the Litecoin–Dogecoin merged mining precedent. Verthash is a strong candidate for ASIC resistance and GPU community engagement. The proposal maintains backward compatibility and respects DigiByte’s existing consensus structure. A well-articulated implementation/testing roadmap and open-source collaboration are big positives.

Suggestions:

Clarify reward scheduling – Will Verthash be added to the MultiAlgo round-robin on equal footing with existing algorithms? Governance/coordination – It would help to outline how DigiByte and Vertcoin developers will coordinate rollout, documentation, and support. Activation path – Consider detailing a soft-fork activation method, like BIP9 signaling or miner voting. Security impact – A deeper dive into Verthash’s protection against rented hash attacks could strengthen the motivation section. This proposal has the potential to bring long-term resilience and collaboration benefits to both ecosystems. Excited to see further community input and eventual testnet progress

Some great thoughts. Again, these are my personal opinions so there would have to be consensus.

If Verthash is replacing Odocrypt for example, there should be a MultiAlgo round-robin on equal footing. It only makes sense and would cause even less complexity than there already is.

Some thoughts on concerns about merge mining:

1. Increased Centralization Risk
   Dominance by Large Miners: Merge mining often attracts larger mining pools or operations with significant hash power, as they can efficiently handle multiple blockchains. This can centralize mining power, especially for smaller coins like Vertcoin, undermining the decentralization ethos of projects prioritizing GPU mining.

Pool Dependency: Smaller miners may rely on pools that support merge mining, which can concentrate hash power in a few large pools. If these pools prioritize the primary coin (e.g., DigiByte) over the auxiliary coin (e.g., Vertcoin), Vertcoin’s network security could suffer.

Example: In Bitcoin-Namecoin merge mining, large Bitcoin pools dominated Namecoin’s hashrate, reducing its decentralization.

2. Reduced Focus on Smaller Coins
   Neglect of Auxiliary Chains: Miners primarily focus on the more profitable or prominent coin (e.g., DigiByte in a Verthash merge-mining scenario). The auxiliary coin (e.g., Vertcoin) may receive less attention, leading to inconsistent mining effort and potential vulnerabilities like 51% attacks if hash power fluctuates.

Orphaned Blocks: Miners may prioritize submitting blocks for the primary coin, delaying or discarding blocks for the auxiliary coin, which can increase orphan rates and destabilize the smaller chain.

3. Increased Complexity for Miners
   Setup and Maintenance: Merge mining requires miners to configure software to handle multiple blockchains, manage different wallet addresses, and monitor payouts across chains. This complexity can deter small-scale or hobbyist miners, who are a key demographic for Vertcoin’s GPU-focused Verthash algorithm.

Software Dependency: Miners need specialized software or pool support for merge mining, which may not be as user-friendly as single-coin mining tools like Vertcoin’s One-Click Miner. Bugs or misconfigurations can lead to lost rewards.

Example: Early merge-mining implementations for Namecoin required custom patches, creating barriers for non-technical miners.

4. Economic and Incentive Misalignment
   Profit Dilution: While merge mining theoretically increases revenue, the additional income from auxiliary coins is often minimal, especially if their market value or block rewards are low. For Vertcoin, with a smaller market cap than DigiByte, merge-mining revenue may not justify the effort for some miners.

Fee Disparity: Transaction fees on the primary chain may overshadow those on the auxiliary chain, incentivizing miners to prioritize the former. This can lead to slower transaction confirmations on the smaller chain.

Market Impact: Increased hash power from merge mining can raise difficulty on the auxiliary chain, reducing profitability for miners who focus solely on that coin (e.g., Vertcoin-only miners).

5. Security Risks for Auxiliary Chains
   Hashrate Volatility: If merge miners allocate hash power sporadically based on profitability, the auxiliary chain’s security can become unstable. For example, if DigiByte miners stop merge mining Vertcoin during unprofitable periods, Vertcoin’s network could become vulnerable to attacks.

Double-Spending Attacks: A malicious miner with significant hash power could exploit merge mining to perform a 51% attack on the auxiliary chain without impacting the primary chain, as the cost is subsidized by mining the primary coin.

Example: In 2014, Dogecoin faced security concerns when merge mining with Litecoin led to hash power fluctuations, prompting community debates about its long-term viability.

6. Impact on ASIC Resistance
   Increased Incentive for Specialized Hardware: If Verthash is adopted for merge mining with a larger coin like DigiByte, the combined mining rewards could make ASIC or FPGA development economically viable, undermining Vertcoin’s ASIC-resistant design. While Vertcoin has a history of forking to maintain resistance, this could disrupt the ecosystem.

Community Concerns: Discussions on platforms like Reddit (e.g., r/vertcoin) highlight fears that merge mining could attract professional mining operations, reducing the accessibility of Verthash mining for hobbyist GPU miners.

7. Network Bloat and Resource Usage
   Blockchain Overhead: Merge mining requires nodes to process and validate blocks from multiple chains, increasing storage, bandwidth, and CPU requirements. For resource-constrained nodes (common in Vertcoin’s community), this can discourage full node operation, weakening decentralization.

Dataset Management: For Verthash, miners already manage a 1.2GB verthash.dat file. Merge mining may introduce additional datasets or synchronization requirements, complicating the process for low-spec hardware.

8. Community and Governance Challenges
   Conflicting Priorities: Merge mining aligns the interests of two communities, which may have different goals. For example, DigiByte’s MultiAlgo framework emphasizes diversity, while Vertcoin focuses on GPU accessibility. Disagreements over protocol changes or forks could create tension.

Adoption Resistance: Some Vertcoin miners may oppose merge mining, fearing loss of autonomy or reduced rewards, leading to community fragmentation. Historical examples (e.g., Dogecoin’s merge-mining debate) show that such changes can polarize stakeholders.

9. Potential for Reduced Block Rewards
   Difficulty Adjustments: Merge mining often increases the auxiliary chain’s difficulty due to added hash power, reducing block rewards per miner. For Vertcoin, with a fixed 25 VTC block reward (as of 2025), this could make solo mining less viable for small-scale miners.

Economic Pressure: If merge mining drives up difficulty without a proportional increase in VTC’s price, miners may abandon Vertcoin for more profitable coins, weakening the network.

[Alvie]

I think if we enable merge mining in the One Click Miner by default and encourages users to use P2Pool and set up their own P2Pools, it will be more decentralised than before!

[Obakachx]

I just want to comment on my appreciation to Aslan he helped me find this breakthrough early and now I am also onboarding friends and family. we are all Vertcoin Maxis early adopters lets get it!!!

[cryptosolutionsholdings]

He’s doing great things for the POW space 👏🏼

[Sixx20]

I'm in favor of the 6th algorithm, and I believe all proof of Work Blockchains are aligned in accomplishing the same goal.

[digisats]

Wow this would be a game changer🤩🚀

BTC
LTC-DOGE
VTC-DIGI (The People’s chains)

VTC is the most decentralized, with Litecoins supply

DIGI is more optimized for P2P then DOGE

This is a DeFi power move!!!

[digisats]

I’m all in if this happens👏🏼

[cryptosolutionsholdings]

Me too, let’s do this!!

[FantaseeStudio]

This project is eye catching. While some of the comments may differ in opinions one of the things I notice that are exciting is that there is already a community of people who are highly knowledgeable about the space. That is exactly what I like to see in projects. Sometimes we get so focused on the small details we miss the overall larger picture…. And that is having a lot of very informed and successful minds collaborating on a project.

[cryptosolutionsholdings]

I saw on Digibyte’s X page that there was a submission for merge mining between VTC and DGB.

At first, I thought it was a scam, because the main page took it down.

So I dug in, and found out this is a real!!!!🤩🤩🤩👏🏼👏🏼

Other chains are adapting. If DGB wants to be considered among the top tier for mining relevance, we have to improve our backend logic. This would be huge news the would send ripples down the proof of work space. keeps us competitive without sacrificing our core identity.

Wow this would be a huge 🚀🚀🚀🚀

[alainasp]

As someone who deeply respects Proof-of-Work and follows the evolution of chains like LTC and DOGE, it’s clear that technical refinement doesn’t dilute legacy, it reinforces it.

Litecoin and Dogecoin implemented merged mining years ago, proving that coordination and modernization can bring resilience, not chaos. Similarly, DigiByte updating its difficulty adjustment via DIP isn’t abandoning the spirit of DigiShield—it’s aligning it with the demands of today’s mining landscape.

[Alvie]

I think it would be good for both coins, especially if auxiliary proof of work is enabled. It would allow DigiByte to be mineable on GPUs, and it would increase security of both chains with increased and distributed hashpower.

There is some amount of risk I suppose with the fact that because it is mineable on normal PCs, someone could make a "botnet" where GPUs are used, but this seems to be very minimal for GPUs (more common with CPU algorithms). It has not been an issue for Vertcoin in the many years Verthash has been implemented. It will be an even smaller risk for DigiByte due to the multi-algos.

Verthash has been developed to be memory hard and prevent ASIC hardware being used on the chain, and it has proven to be a solid cryptographic algorithm on Vertcoin.

I believe it will be great for fans of either coins if they could merge-mine, and it would also encourage more people to run nodes locally!

[JohnnyLawDGB]

Here's my perspective in this moment:

1. Valid to consider- Place on roadmap of algorithm evolution.
2. Distraction from current- Having just implemented taproot, we have a lot of features/functionality that we haven't unlocked with proper tools yet.
3. Move forward by understanding VertCoin/testing VertHash- learn the community to see if there truly is strong alignment.

[cryptosolutionsholdings]

The idea of exploring VertHash as part of DGB’s roadmap seems aligned with its long-standing ethos: decentralization, ASIC resistance, and community empowerment. Vertcoin has held that line consistently, and it could offer complementary strengths, especially for reinforcing GPU miner engagement.

Of course, timing and implementation matter. But even early-stage testing or dialogue between the two communities might surface valuable insights

Excited to see where this discussion leads. Definitely feels like something worth exploring further.

[Emmyt24]

Great proposal
Adding Verthash to DigiByte’s MultiAlgo for merged mining with Vertcoin is a smart move. It’ll boost security, bring in more GPU miners, and strengthen both communities, love the focus on keeping things decentralized! Looking forward to seeing this progress.🚀🚀

[mhaja99]

This proposal has the potential to strengthen both Vertcoin and DigiByte's ecosystems while rewarding GPU miners.Sure there's Exciting times ahead! I'm looking forward to seeing this move forward.💪💪

[dovelyn23]

Love the vibe around this project! 🤩 The community is filled with knowledgeable experts, which is a huge plus! Often, we get caught up in details and overlook the bigger picture – having smart, successful minds working together is priceless 💡👍

[SamuelAmupitan]

This is definitely a good idea 💡
Let's do this...

[Issu98]

Now this is where i want to be and learn more about all that have being going on

[vertiond]

To DigiByte developers and community:

It has come to my attention that a campaign existed asking people to create comments expressing positive sentiment on this DIP in exchange for payment rewards. I wanted to express to you that the existence of such a campaign does not align with the values of open-source community-engaged development that the Vertcoin project has long upheld. Authenticity and transparency are of utmost importance in these projects and I look forward to unbiased and meaningful discussion concerning proposals for improving DigiByte.

[PoWFoundation]

It’s disappointing to see this proposal attacked not on its merits, but due to personal biases and a misunderstanding of how decentralized movements actually grow.

Yes, the DIP was shared via Zealy. That’s not some conspiracy — it’s literally how modern open-source communities organize. Coordination tools like Zealy, DAOs, grants, foundations, and hackathons are used across all major chains. Ethereum has the EF and Gitcoin, Bitcoin has its dev alliances and donor-funded contributors, even Litecoin and Dogecoin have merged mining thanks to community alignment and structured discussion.

To pretend that “spontaneous, unaffiliated” comments are the only valid form of engagement is not only ahistorical — it’s naive.

Movements have always required leadership, coordination, and incentives. From the Enlightenment salons that sparked revolutions to early hacker spaces, from Satoshi’s own organized drops of the whitepaper to mailing lists, none of this happened “randomly.” Progress requires momentum, not gatekeeping.

What’s really being objected to here isn’t a Zealy quest — it’s the idea that someone else is successfully rallying support.

It’s okay to disagree with a proposal. But undermining a grassroots movement with accusations of inauthenticity, simply because it was well-coordinated, is ego-driven sabotage. This DIP stands on its technical merit, its vision, and its community backing — and no amount of personal bitterness changes that.

Decentralization doesn’t mean anarchy. It means many people organizing freely without central permission. That’s exactly what happened here. And it’s working.

[ashu-mtdev]

I strongly support this DIP. Integrating Verthash into DigiByte’s MultiAlgo system is a technically sound and forward-looking decision. It reinforces DigiByte’s core values i.e. decentralization, GPU miner inclusivity, and network resilience. Verthash’s memory-hard design and anti-ASIC orientation make it a natural fit for DigiByte’s mission and a strategic partner in Vertcoin.

Merged mining will not only strengthen DigiByte’s hashpower and overall security but also foster collaboration between two vibrant communities with shared values. The compatibility with existing mining software, minimal disruption to legacy systems, and clear implementation roadmap make this an ideal evolution for DigiByte’s PoW structure.

The reference to the successful Litecoin–Dogecoin model is particularly compelling. If implemented with care, this merge could bring similar benefits in terms of hashpower, security, and community alignment.

Looking forward to seeing this move forward and happy to contribute toward testing or reviewing the reference implementation.

— Ash —

[ManishMent]

I strongly endorse this DIP initiative. Incorporating Verthash into DigiByte’s MultiAlgo system is a well-considered and forward-thinking step that reinforces DigiByte’s core values—decentralization, GPU miner accessibility, and robust network resilience. Verthash’s memory-intensive and ASIC-resistant nature makes it a fitting choice for integration, aligning well with DigiByte’s long-term mission. Additionally, this move opens the door for stronger technical and community ties with Vertcoin.

The adoption of merged mining has the potential to significantly boost DigiByte’s hashpower and enhance overall network security. It also paves the way for shared growth between the DigiByte and Vertcoin ecosystems—both rooted in principles of openness and decentralization. With minimal disruption to existing infrastructure, compatibility with current mining setups, and a clear path to implementation, this proposal represents a promising step forward.

-- Manish --

[arunMtDev]

This is a fantastic proposal that strengthens DigiByte’s commitment to decentralization. Integrating Verthash will invite more GPU miners, reducing reliance on ASIC-dominated algorithms and distributing hashpower more equitably. Merged mining with Vertcoin also fosters cross-chain collaboration while boosting network security. A big step toward more inclusive and resilient PoW ecosystems!

[nimishdubey1503]

I fully support integrating Verthash into DigiByte’s MultiAlgo system—it reinforces decentralization, GPU miner inclusion, and network resilience. Verthash’s memory-hard, ASIC-resistant design aligns perfectly with DigiByte’s mission. Plus, merged mining boosts hash power, security, and community collaboration with minimal disruption. Drawing inspiration from the Litecoin–Dogecoin model, this integration seems like a strategic evolution. Happy to assist with testing or reviewing the implementation.

[Ansh-MentTech]

I'm excited to see this proposal gaining traction. It clearly reflects a thoughtful vision for the future of DigiByte and aligns well with the project’s values of innovation and community strength. Bringing two strong, like-minded communities together through collaboration is always a positive move, and I fully support any step that makes the ecosystem more inclusive, secure, and forward-looking. Wishing the team all the best in moving this proposal forward—looking forward to seeing how it evolves!

--Ansh--

[AdnanMentTech]

This is a well-structured and thoughtfully articulated proposal. Introducing Verthash to DigiByte’s MultiAlgo framework for merged mining with Vertcoin is a logical step that builds on proven concepts like Litecoin-Dogecoin. The focus on decentralization, GPU miner inclusion, and improved network resilience is well-aligned with DigiByte’s core principles. Looking forward to the community's feedback and implementation progress.

[adityament]

Your post brilliantly captures the essence of how decentralized movements thrive and grow, and I couldn’t agree more with your perspective. The criticism aimed at this proposal, particularly the fixation on its use of Zealy as a coordination tool, feels like a distraction from the real conversation—evaluating the proposal on its technical merits and vision. It’s frustrating to see detractors lean into accusations of inauthenticity or conspiracy when tools like Zealy, DAOs, grants, and hackathons are standard practice across thriving open-source ecosystems. As you pointed out, Ethereum relies on the Ethereum Foundation and platforms like Gitcoin to align its community, Bitcoin has its developer alliances and donor-funded contributors, and even smaller chains like Litecoin and Dogecoin have benefited from structured coordination, such as merged mining. These are not anomalies; they’re the scaffolding of progress in decentralized systems.

The notion that only “spontaneous, unaffiliated” comments constitute legitimate engagement is not just unrealistic—it’s a misreading of history. From the Enlightenment-era salons that sparked intellectual revolutions to the early hacker spaces that birthed the internet’s open-source ethos, and even Satoshi Nakamoto’s deliberate distribution of the Bitcoin whitepaper through curated mailing lists, no transformative movement has ever been truly random. Leadership, incentives, and coordination have always been the engines of change. To gatekeep this process by demanding some idealized, leaderless purity is to ignore how human collaboration actually works.

[Abhishekment24]

It’s unfortunate that this proposal is being criticized not for its content, but due to personal biases and a fundamental misunderstanding of how decentralized ecosystems actually evolve.

Yes, the DIP was shared through Zealy. That’s not some hidden agenda — it's simply how modern open-source and decentralized communities coordinate. Tools like Zealy, DAOs, grants, foundations, and hackathons are common across all major blockchain ecosystems. Ethereum has the Ethereum Foundation and Gitcoin; Bitcoin has developer alliances and donor-funded contributors; even Litecoin and Dogecoin benefit from merged mining and structured community involvement.

To suggest that only “spontaneous and unaffiliated” feedback is legitimate ignores the historical reality of how movements grow — and frankly, it's naive.

Throughout history, impactful movements have always required leadership, collaboration, and incentives. From Enlightenment-era salons to hacker collectives, and even Satoshi’s deliberate distribution of the Bitcoin whitepaper via mailing lists — none of it happened by accident. Meaningful progress depends on momentum, not exclusion.

The real issue here isn't that a Zealy campaign was used — it's that someone managed to effectively rally support, and that success is unsettling to some.

It’s perfectly valid to disagree with a proposal. But to discredit a well-organized community effort by labeling it inauthentic is not constructive criticism — it’s driven by ego. This DIP is strong because of its technical foundation, clear vision, and community support — and no amount of personal frustration can take that away.

Decentralization doesn’t mean chaos. It means people organizing independently, without centralized control. That’s exactly what happened here — and it’s working.

[Alvie]

I've had to unsubscribe from this thread due to the amount of spam received unfortunately.

[tradeorigins]

This DIP is a much-needed evolution for DigiByte. Integrating hybrid staking while preserving PoW incentives is a balanced and forward-looking approach that enhances both network security and participation. The modular design, optional staking, and reward caps are thoughtful inclusions to protect decentralization and avoid staking centralization.

I especially support the “Proof of Stake as a Supplement” model instead of replacement — it's a great way to expand the ecosystem's utility (e.g., future dApps or DAO governance) while staying true to DigiByte’s original values. Looking forward to further technical specs and testnet implementation!

[blockcharge]

DIP12 is a promising step forward for DigiByte’s long-term sustainability. The introduction of a hybrid model that supplements PoW with optional staking opens new doors—not just for securing the network but also for enabling future utility like DeFi, DAOs, and enhanced user engagement.

What’s especially compelling is that this isn’t a radical shift but an additive layer—keeping DigiByte’s core ethos intact while making it more adaptable to evolving blockchain demands. It strikes a smart balance between innovation and conservatism. Excited to see how this progresses into implementation.

[Iconicnax]

Merging vertcoin with DigiByte is a good ideal as vertcoin being Asic- resistant powered by Gpu mining. As vertcoin aligns with DigiByte original valueof true decentralization.