Understand that each proof of work algorithm has its pros and cons.
Difference between Hashcash proof of work algorithm and Ethash proof of work algorithm?
Nathan Aw
2 Answers
Hashcash and Ethash are two different things and not directly comparable. Hashcash is the idea of using hashes for a proof of work system. it can be used with any hash function.
Ethash is a specific hash function. It is used in a hashcash proof of work system, specifically the one used in Ethereum.
Hashcash is not comparable to Ethash because it is not a hash function at all.
One major difference between them is that Ethash(Modified Dagger-Hashimoto Algorithm) is ASIC resistant due to its memory hardness (Algorithm works on precompiled dataset of size > 1GB) , whereas Hashcash algorithm is not ASIC resistant as it uses SHA-256 hash function which do not require any memory to work with.
