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Mining Multiple Chains with One Computer

Imagine if you could solve three different puzzles with a single guess - that’s merged mining. Invented by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2010, Quai has revolutionized this concept to create the most efficient blockchain network ever built. The Innovation:
  • Traditional mining: One computer, one chain, limited throughput
  • Quai merged mining: One computer, three chains, 10,000x more efficient than Bitcoin*
Key Benefits:
  1. Shared security: All chains protected by full network hashrate
  2. Automatic bridges: Cross-chain transactions without intermediaries
  3. Maximum efficiency: 10,000x better energy usage per transaction

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How It Works

Simple Explanation: When a miner generates a potential solution (nonce), they check it against three different difficulty levels:
  1. Prime chain: Hardest difficulty (like rolling three sixes)
  2. Region chain: Medium difficulty (like rolling two sixes)
  3. Zone chain: Easiest difficulty (like rolling one six)
The Magic:
  • Same computation, triple the results
  • No extra energy needed
  • All chains stay perfectly synchronized
Technical Note: All Quai chains use the ProgPoW algorithm - GPU-friendly and ASIC-resistant.

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Natural Cross-Chain Bridges

What are Coincident Blocks? Sometimes a miner gets lucky and finds a solution that works for multiple chains at once - like winning multiple lottery tickets with one number. Why This Matters:
  • Automatic bridges: No need for complex bridging protocols
  • Zero trust required: Pure math ensures security
  • Natural occurrence: Happens automatically through mining
These coincident blocks create unbreakable links between chains, enabling seamless cross-chain transactions without any additional infrastructure.

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Revolutionary Energy Efficiency

The Math is Simple:
  • Same energy input: One mining operation
  • 3x more blockchains: Prime, region, and zone
  • 10,000x more transactions: Through parallel processing
Real Impact:
  • Bitcoin: ~487 kWh per transaction
  • Quai: ~0.05 kWh per transaction
  • Your transaction uses less energy than boiling a kettle
Learn more about Quai’s environmental benefits.

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The Bottom Line

Merged mining transforms Proof-of-Work from an energy-intensive necessity into an optimized engine for global-scale blockchain infrastructure. By mining three chains with every computation, Quai achieves unprecedented efficiency while maintaining the unmatched security guarantees of PoW. *Per transaction, assuming full load and equal mining power between networks.