Part 4/6:
The Enduring Significance of Proof-of-Work
Despite the exploration of alternative protocols, Andreas underscores that proof-of-work (PoW) remains the only proven consensus algorithm that guarantees thermo-dynamically immutable records under real-world conditions. This durability stems from its inherent energy expenditure, which creates a formidable barrier against malicious tampering.
He acknowledges ongoing innovations, like proof-of-stake (PoS), which aim to offer different benefits and characteristics. However, he cautions that these alternatives produce different features and trade-offs, and their effectiveness must be validated through extensive real-world testing before they can be considered equivalents or replacements for PoW.