Hash rate refers to the speed at which a computer or group of computers in a blockchain network can solve the complex puzzles needed to add new blocks of transactions. It shows how much computing power is working on processing and securing a blockchain at any given time. Higher hash rate generally means more competition among miners and stronger protection against malicious actors.
Blockchains like Bitcoin use cryptographic problems that require computers to guess a specific output called a hash. Miners run software that makes many guesses per second, trying to find a valid hash that meets certain criteria. The number of guesses a miner makes every second is their hash rate. All miners in a network together create the network’s total hash rate.
Hash rate is measured by counting how many hash calculations a miner or network can perform in one second. Common measures include:
In blockchains that use Proof of Work, hash rate tells you how much computing power is dedicated to maintaining the network. If many miners work together, the hash rate rises, which means blocks are found faster, and the network becomes harder to attack. A higher hash rate also makes it more difficult for any single entity to take over the network.
Blockchains adjust how hard it is to find a valid hash so that blocks are added at a steady pace. When more miners join and the hash rate grows, the system increases the challenge to keep block times consistent. This balance helps the network run smoothly over time.
Miners check the hash rate to decide what hardware to use and to gauge competition. People watching the health of a blockchain also look at the total hash rate because it gives a picture of network strength and security. Traders sometimes pay attention as well, since sudden changes in hash rate can reflect shifts in miner activity.
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