Remove proof of work because it's a major point of attrition for integrations #4911
Description
Summary
PoW in the current state only deters people trying to integrate with the network without paying for a server to host an awkward API and a full node for their solutions.
It's been a barrier for developing lightnode clients so our wallets keep depending on the wallet devs running a back-end. Generating costs for them and for the DPoW network, which are also something that people are paying needlessly to keep online.
Our anti-spam measures already drop blocks which prev is not in queue for the AEC, especially now with Bounded Block Backlog, and attackers would simply accumulate blocks before sending or use a DPoW network, defeating the PoW mechanism entirely.
What problem would be solved by this feature?
- Ease of integration and better wallet software;
- Enables lightnodes to exist on any connected hardware;
- Decentralizes mobile wallets as they become direct peers in the network;
- Let's volunteers save their money by not hosting DPoW clients.
Are there any previous requests for this feature?
There was a thread in the old forums talking about how it would be possible once we had BBB.
Do you have a suggested solution?
Disable PoW validation when processing the block.
If this feature is approved, would you be willing to submit a pull request with the solution?
I would
Possible solution
- Delete the validation;
- Make field in the block optional for compatibility and to save space in the future.