Z-Coin Mining Details

Mining Specification Overview

Z-Coin implements a hybrid Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus model with 4,000,000 ZCN allocated to mining rewards. The mining algorithm is designed to balance accessibility, security, and long-term value preservation.

Total Mining Allocation

4,000,000 ZCN

(40% of total supply)

Initial Block Reward

50 ZCN per block

Halves every 210,000 blocks

Target Block Time

10 minutes

Adjusted via difficulty

Difficulty Adjustment

Every 2,016 blocks

(~2 weeks)

Progressive Difficulty Mechanism

Z-Coin implements a Bitcoin-inspired difficulty adjustment algorithm that ensures consistent block production regardless of total network hash power. The difficulty target is recalculated every 2,016 blocks to maintain the 10-minute average block time:

                new_difficulty = current_difficulty * (actual_time_taken / expected_time_taken)

                where:
                - actual_time_taken: Time to mine the last 2,016 blocks
                - expected_time_taken: 2,016 blocks * 10 minutes = 20,160 minutes
            

This ensures that as more miners join the network, the difficulty increases proportionally, preserving the reward schedule and ensuring the controlled release of new coins into circulation.

Block Reward Halving Schedule

To ensure long-term scarcity and value appreciation, Z-Coin implements a halving schedule where mining rewards are cut in half every 210,000 blocks (approximately every 4 years with 10-minute blocks):

1

Initial Phase (Blocks 0-210,000)

50.0 ZCN per block

Total: 10,500,000 ZCN

2

First Halving (Blocks 210,001-420,000)

25.0 ZCN per block

Total: 5,250,000 ZCN

3

Second Halving (Blocks 420,001-630,000)

12.5 ZCN per block

Total: 2,625,000 ZCN

4

Third Halving (Blocks 630,001-840,000)

6.25 ZCN per block

Total: 1,312,500 ZCN

∞

Continuing Halvings

Rewards continue to halve every 210,000 blocks

This creates increasing scarcity and ensures all 4,000,000 ZCN allocated to mining will be distributed over many years

Mining Hardware Requirements

Z-Coin's mining algorithm is designed to be ASIC-resistant in the early stages to encourage broader participation:

Algorithm: Modified Ethash (memory-hard algorithm)
Minimum Requirements: 8GB GPU memory recommended
CPU Mining: Supported but less efficient than GPU
Power Efficiency: Designed to be energy-conscious while maintaining security

As the network matures, specialized hardware may emerge, aligning with the increasing difficulty curve.

Smart Contract Implementation

The mining reward and difficulty adjustment mechanisms are implemented in our smart contract at address 0x466138E169C424cF0B5c1281E8D29F6FA3ff5B78. Key functions include:

// Calculate current block reward based on height
function getBlockReward(uint256 blockHeight) public pure returns (uint256) {
    uint256 era = blockHeight / 210000;
    uint256 reward = 50 * (10**18); // 50 ZCN with 18 decimals

    // Apply halving based on era
    for (uint256 i = 0; i < era; i++) {
        reward = reward / 2;
    }

    return reward;
}

// Adjust difficulty based on recent block times
function adjustDifficulty() public view returns (uint256) {
    uint256 targetTimespan = 20160 minutes; // 2,016 blocks * 10 minutes
    uint256 actualTimespan = getActualTimespan(2016); // Time for last 2,016 blocks

    // Apply bounds to prevent extreme adjustments
    if (actualTimespan < targetTimespan / 4) {
        actualTimespan = targetTimespan / 4;
    }
    if (actualTimespan > targetTimespan * 4) {
        actualTimespan = targetTimespan * 4;
    }

    uint256 currentDifficulty = difficulty;
    return (currentDifficulty * targetTimespan) / actualTimespan;
}
            

Mining Pool Integration

Z-Coin will support standard mining pool protocols to allow miners to combine their computational resources:

Stratum Protocol Support for efficient mining
Pool and Solo mining options
Fair reward distribution based on contributed hash power
Official mining pool will be available at launch with 1% fee contributing to the charity fund

Z-Coin Mining Calculator

Estimate your potential mining rewards based on your hardware and the current network conditions:

Your Hashrate (MH/s):

Power Consumption (watts):

Electricity Cost ($/kWh):

Network Hashrate (GH/s):

Current Block Reward (ZCN):

Current ZCN Price ($):

Difficulty Adjustment (%):

Estimated Daily Earnings:

0 ZCN

($0.00)

Estimated Weekly Earnings:

0 ZCN

($0.00)

Estimated Monthly Earnings:

0 ZCN

($0.00)

Estimated Yearly Earnings:

0 ZCN

($0.00)

Electricity Cost:

$0.00/day

$0.00/month

Profit After Electricity:

$0.00/day

$0.00/month

Break-even Period:

0 days

Note: This calculator provides estimates based on current network conditions. Actual results may vary due to changes in difficulty, price, and other factors. Mining rewards are distributed based on actual block solutions found.