# Proof of Work (PoW)

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**Publisher:** Decentralized Finance Publication

## Definition

The original blockchain consensus mechanism used by Bitcoin. Miners compete to solve computationally intensive puzzles; the winner adds the next block and earns a reward. PoW is energy-intensive but extremely well-tested. Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Monero use Proof of Work.

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Canonical: https://decentralized-finance.io/glossary/proof-of-work-pow/