BREAKDOWN: A 101 Guide to Ethereum's ProgPOW Controversy
Why the ProgPoW debate is really about process, power, and the threat contentious hard forks pose to DeFi.
Feb 27, 2020
Listen or watch all the new CoinDesk podcast episodes wherever you want.
ABOUT
Last Friday on Ethereum’s core developer call, the devs agreed to push forward a controversial anti-ASICs consensus algorithm switch known as ProgPoW.
The broader Ethereum community was not pleased, and has spent the last week debating both ProgPoW itself as well as the way decisions in the community get made.
In this 101-guide to the controversy, @nlw breaks down:
- What is ProgPoW
- The history of the debate
- Arguments for and against
- Who falls on what side and why
- The implications of ProgPoW for DeFi
HOST
CoinDesk
CoinDesk is the world leader in news, prices and information on bitcoin and other digital currencies.
We cover news and analysis on the trends, price movements, technologies, companies and people in the bitcoin and digital currency world.
EPISODES
Saylor: 'I Expect Bitcoin Will Appreciate 30% a Year for the Next 20 Years'
Strategy founder and executive chairman Michael Saylor named one of CoinDesk's 50 Most Influential.
16 hours ago
THE MINING POD: China Mining Crackdown, Hut 8’s $7B Fluidstack Deal, CoreWeave Site Delays
This week in bitcoin mining news, hiccups surface in AI site development and funding, and China crackdown on bitcoin ...
18 hours ago
Mert Mumtaz on Why Internet Capital Markets Are "Finally Actually Happening" on Solana
Privacy, internet capital markets, and quantum commuting threats to crypto with Helius CEO Mert Mumtaz.
Dec 18, 2025
Seeker Phone Moved $2 Billion in Just 4 Months - Solana Mobile GM
Unpacking the success of Solana Mobile's new device, Seeker, with GM Emmett Hollyer.
Dec 18, 2025
COINDESK SERIES
0 EPISODE
The Mining Pod
Feb 10, 2025
1383 EPISODES
CoinDesk Podcast Network
The top stories and best shows in the blockchain world, delivered daily from the team at CoinDesk.
Dec 20, 2023
1351 EPISODES
Markets Outlook
Tune in as CoinDesk runs down action in the crypto market and some of the most important recent industry development.
Dec 19, 2023
0 EPISODE
Unchained
Unchained, your no hype resource for all things crypto by former Forbes senior editor Laura Shin, author of The Cryptopians.
Dec 18, 2023
