Hashcash
Hashcash is Adam Back’s proof-of-work system originally designed to deter email spam by requiring computational work.
Why it matters
Bitcoin adapted proof of work into a consensus and issuance mechanism.
Key ideas
- Hashcash is Adam Back’s proof-of-work system originally designed to deter email spam by requiring computational work.
- This topic belongs to California Bitcoin’s pre-bitcoin knowledge layer.
- Use primary and technical sources where possible, and distinguish protocol facts from market narratives.