Proof of Work (PoW) is a consensus mechanism used by some blockchain networks to validate transactions and create new blocks. In a PoW system, miners compete to solve complex mathematical puzzles, and the first one to solve the puzzle gets the right to add the next block to the blockchain. This process requires significant computational effort and energy, hence the term “proof of work.”

PoW is well-known for its use in networks like Bitcoin, where it helps prevent spam and malicious attacks by making them costly and time-consuming for attackers. Despite its security benefits, PoW has been criticized for its environmental impact due to the high energy consumption of mining operations.

“When I set up my mining rig and successfully mined a block on a PoW blockchain, I received new coins as a reward for contributing my computational power to maintain the network’s security and integrity.