EthereumPoW (ETHW) emerged as a direct response to one of the most transformative events in blockchain history—the Ethereum Merge on September 15, 2022. When Ethereum officially transitioned from a Proof of Work (PoW) to a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, it marked a new era for scalability and energy efficiency. However, not all participants welcomed this change. A faction of miners, developers, and crypto enthusiasts remained committed to the original PoW model, leading to the creation of EthereumPoW, a resilient hard fork preserving the legacy of mining on the Ethereum network.
This article explores the foundation, mechanics, tokenomics, and future vision of EthereumPoW—offering clarity for investors, miners, and blockchain enthusiasts navigating this alternative ecosystem.
What Is EthereumPoW?
EthereumPoW is a hard fork of the original Ethereum blockchain that maintains the Proof of Work consensus mechanism. Unlike Ethereum 2.0, which relies on staking to validate transactions, EthereumPoW continues to empower miners who use computational power to secure the network and earn rewards.
At its core, EthereumPoW seeks to preserve what many see as the foundational values of decentralization and open participation. It combines Ethereum’s robust support for smart contracts with the battle-tested security model of PoW—similar to Bitcoin—making it an attractive option for those skeptical of staking-based systems.
The native cryptocurrency of this chain is ETHW, which functions as both a transactional asset and a governance enabler within the ecosystem.
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The Core Team Behind EthereumPoW
EthereumPoW was spearheaded by a coalition of blockchain veterans and mining advocates. The project is notably led by Chandler Guo, a well-known figure in the mining community with years of experience in hardware development and decentralized networks. He is joined by key contributors including Kevin Wang, David Li, and Peter Zhang, all of whom share a vision for sustaining a permissionless, miner-driven blockchain.
This team believes that the pre-Merge version of Ethereum represented the peak of decentralized innovation—particularly in hosting decentralized applications (dApps) without compromising on miner inclusivity. Their mission is to maintain and expand this environment, ensuring long-term viability for PoW-based smart contract platforms.
How Does EthereumPoW Work?
EthereumPoW operates under the same fundamental principles as traditional Proof of Work blockchains:
- Miners deploy high-performance hardware (GPUs or ASICs) to solve complex cryptographic puzzles.
- The first miner to solve the puzzle adds a new block to the chain and receives ETHW tokens as a reward.
- This process ensures network security, transaction validation, and resistance to censorship.
Because it's a hard fork, EthereumPoW runs independently from Ethereum’s PoS chain. Nodes on each network follow different consensus rules, meaning they cannot interoperate directly. As a result, ETHW exists as a parallel blockchain with its own transaction history post-fork.
One critical distinction: while Ethereum abandoned mining after the Merge, EthereumPoW not only preserves it but actively incentivizes it—making it a haven for displaced miners seeking continued utility for their infrastructure.
Understanding ETHW: The Native Token
ETHW is the lifeblood of the EthereumPoW ecosystem. It serves multiple essential functions:
- Transaction fees: Users pay gas fees in ETHW to execute smart contracts or transfer assets.
- Mining rewards: Miners are compensated in ETHW for securing the network.
- dApp interaction: Developers build decentralized applications on EthereumPoW using ETHW for operations and user engagement.
- Governance potential: While still evolving, there are plans to enhance ETHW’s role in community decision-making processes.
Importantly, ETHW retains compatibility with Ethereum’s tooling—meaning wallets like MetaMask, explorers, and developer frameworks work seamlessly with minimal adjustments.
ETHW Tokenomics: Supply and Distribution
A defining feature of ETHW is its uncapped supply, mirroring the monetary models of Bitcoin and Litecoin. New ETHW tokens are introduced through mining rewards, ensuring ongoing incentives for network participants.
The initial distribution of ETHW was structured as follows:
- 70% – Airdropped to holders of ETH and WETH at the time of the fork (1:1 ratio)
- 20% – Reserved for the core development team and advisors
- 10% – Allocated for marketing, ecosystem growth, and future development
This snapshot-based airdrop ensured fairness by rewarding existing stakeholders who supported the original Ethereum network before the Merge. It also helped bootstrap adoption by giving users immediate access to ETHW without additional cost.
Use Cases of EthereumPoW
Despite operating separately from mainstream Ethereum, EthereumPoW supports many of the same functionalities—just powered by miners instead of validators.
Smart Contract Execution
Developers can deploy and run smart contracts on EthereumPoW with full functionality. This includes automated agreements, token issuance (ERC-20, ERC-721), and logic-driven applications.
Decentralized Applications (dApps)
The platform hosts dApps across DeFi, NFTs, gaming, and social networks. Projects looking to maintain PoW integrity often choose ETHW as their base layer.
Mining Incentives
Unlike PoS chains where wealth concentration can influence validation rights, EthereumPoW democratizes participation. Anyone with mining equipment can contribute and earn ETHW—promoting broader decentralization.
Cross-Chain Innovation
With bridges and interoperability tools emerging, ETHW is increasingly integrated into multi-chain strategies, allowing users to move value between ecosystems securely.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happened to Ethereum mining after the Merge?
After the Merge, Ethereum fully transitioned to Proof of Stake, rendering mining obsolete on the mainnet. Validators now secure the network by staking ETH instead of solving computational puzzles.
Can I still mine Ethereum?
You cannot mine native ETH anymore. However, you can mine ETHW (EthereumPoW), which continues the PoW tradition using similar algorithms and hardware setups.
How did I receive ETHW if I held ETH?
If you held ETH or WETH in a non-custodial wallet at the time of the fork snapshot, you became eligible for an airdrop of ETHW at a 1:1 ratio. Some exchanges also distributed ETHW to users who held ETH on their platforms.
Is EthereumPoW secure?
EthereumPoW inherits much of Ethereum’s codebase and security features. Its reliance on PoW makes it resistant to certain types of attacks, though its long-term security depends on sustained miner participation and hashrate stability.
Can I use MetaMask with EthereumPoW?
Yes. By adding custom network settings (chain ID, RPC URL), you can connect MetaMask to the EthereumPoW network and interact with dApps, send ETHW, and manage tokens just like on Ethereum.
Is ETHW a good investment?
As with any cryptocurrency, investing in ETHW carries risks. Its value depends on miner support, dApp activity, market sentiment, and broader crypto trends. Always conduct thorough research before investing.
Future Roadmap: Scaling Security and Ecosystem Growth
The EthereumPoW team has outlined two strategic priorities moving forward:
- Ecosystem Expansion
The team is actively encouraging developers to build dApps on the platform by offering technical support, grants, and visibility. A thriving developer community is crucial for long-term sustainability. - Network Enhancements
Efforts are underway to improve scalability and security. This includes optimizing block propagation times, exploring sharding possibilities, and strengthening anti-51% attack measures through hashrate monitoring and checkpointing mechanisms.
Additionally, there is growing interest in integrating privacy features and layer-2 solutions to enhance performance without sacrificing decentralization.
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Conclusion
EthereumPoW stands as a testament to ideological diversity within the blockchain space. While Ethereum evolved toward energy efficiency and staking dominance, EthereumPoW ensures that the door remains open for miners, hardware enthusiasts, and communities that value computational decentralization.
With strong roots in established technology, a clear use case for dApp development, and ongoing efforts to strengthen its network, ETHW offers both practical utility and speculative potential in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.
Whether you're a former miner seeking purpose post-Merge or a developer exploring alternative chains, EthereumPoW presents a compelling chapter in the ongoing story of decentralized innovation.
Core Keywords: EthereumPoW, ETHW, Proof of Work, Ethereum Merge, mining, smart contracts, dApps, blockchain fork