4 min read · Updated 2026-10-25

Proof of work vs proof of stake

Proof of work and proof of stake are two ways for a blockchain to agree on its history. Bitcoin uses proof of work, where participants spend computing power. Many other networks use proof of stake, where participants lock coins.

Proof of work

Miners compete to find a valid hash. Cheating would require spending more computing power than the honest network, which makes attacks costly.

Proof of stake

Validators lock coins and are chosen to propose blocks. Misbehaviour can cost them part of their stake. Ethereum moved to proof of stake in September 2022.

Trade-offs

Proof of work uses real energy and hardware, which is its security cost. Proof of stake uses far less energy but relies on different assumptions about coin ownership. People disagree about which is better.

Frequently asked questions

Does Bitcoin use proof of stake?

No. Bitcoin uses proof of work.

Can you mine a proof of stake coin?

No. Those networks use validators instead of miners.

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Sources and further reading: Bitcoin whitepaper · mempool.space · Bitcoin Wiki: Mining. General information only, not financial advice. Rewards from mining are variable and not guaranteed. See our risk notice.