Protocol Overview

Optimisable Proof-of-Work

OPoW, or Optimisable Proof-of-Work, is a variant of proof-of-work that integrates multiple proof-of-works, binding them in a way that optimisations to the proof-of-work algorithms do not cause instability or centralisation.

This binding is embodied in the calculation of influence for Benchmarkers

Proof of Deposit (PoD)

The Proof of Deposit (PoD) mechanism enforces a competitive environment where Benchmarkers compete for block rewards through not only computing solutions but also by their ability to attract and maintain delegated deposits against other Benchmarkers.

This mechanism enables:

Benchmarkers to have skin in the game in order to earn rewards.
An incentive for both Benchmarkers and token holders to lock TIG tokens for longer periods.
Incentivising Benchmarkers to share their rewards to be competitive.

Benchmarkers

Benchmarkers are miners/players who continuously select algorithms and compute solutions for challenges. They are incentivised to adopt the most efficient algorithms and share block rewards proportional to the number of solutions found.

Innovators

Innovators are contributors who optimise existing proof-of-work algorithms and invent new ones. They are incentivised by the prospect of earning a share of the block rewards based on the adoption of their algorithms by Benchmarkers.

Challenges

In TIG, challenges are computational problem adapted as one of the proof-of-works in OPoW. To check out all the current challenges, head over to the Challenges page.

Rewards

TIG rewards both Innovators and Benchmarkers for their contributions to the network. As Benchmarkers can opt to share their rewards with delegators, token holders can lock their TIG tokens to create a Deposit and delegate them to a Benchmarker to earn rewards.

Breakthroughs

Breakthroughs are significant improvements to existing algorithms or entirely new algorithms that are submitted by Innovators. The community votes on the submissions to decide if a submission is indeed a breakthrough or not.

Blocks

In TIG, a block serves as the fundamental unit of time, roughly equivalent to 60 seconds. Blocks fulfil two primary functions:

Timestamp for when Benchmarkers start & submit their solutions.
Execution of OPoW-related state transitions, determining Benchmarkers’ influence and algorithm adoption, leading to the distribution of block rewards denominated in TIG tokens.

Rounds

A round spans 10,080 blocks, approximately equivalent to 604,800 seconds or 7 days. Rounds serve three primary purposes:

Execution of algorithm related state transitions.
Coordination of protocol and configuration updates, including the introduction of new challenges and voting procedures.

The token emission schedule is structured around rounds.

Licensing OPoW