As Ethereum’s long-anticipated transition from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) draws near, miners are scrambling to find viable alternatives to maintain their operations. In a strategic move, Conflux (CFX)—a blockchain platform positioning itself as China’s only compliant, public, and decentralized network—has introduced CIP-102, a community proposal aiming to adopt the Ethash algorithm for its PoW mining mechanism. This shift could offer a seamless migration path for Ethereum miners facing obsolescence post-merge.
The proposal, launched on Conflux’s official forum, suggests modifying the network’s current mining algorithm to align with Ethash—the same algorithm used by Ethereum prior to its upgrade. While the core motivation is clear, the technical blueprint, test scenarios, and implementation roadmap remain under discussion, reflecting the early stage of this initiative.
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What Is Conflux?
Conflux describes itself as a globally oriented, public blockchain infrastructure built on principles of openness, inclusivity, transparency, decentralization, and public ownership. Designed to bridge regions including North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Russia, Conflux aims to create a borderless ecosystem for decentralized applications and digital asset transactions.
At the heart of Conflux’s architecture lies its native token, CFX, which powers the network by enabling transaction fee payments, staking rewards, storage leasing incentives, and miner compensation. CFX holders can also participate in governance, giving them a direct voice in shaping the future of the network.
The ecosystem has already integrated several major DeFi platforms such as SushiSwap, DODO, PancakeSwap, and oracles like Chainlink, alongside centralized exchanges including Binance and Gate.io. Additionally, native projects like Moonswap, a decentralized exchange built on Conflux, highlight the growing momentum within its ecosystem.
According to CoinMarketCap data, CFX currently ranks as the 182nd largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, with a valuation of approximately $129 million** and a trading price around **$0.06193. Although far from its all-time high of $1.70 reached in May 2021—a drop of over 96%—the network continues to evolve amid broader market challenges.
Why Ethash? The Strategic Appeal for Ethereum Miners
The proposed switch to Ethash is not merely technical—it's strategic. By adopting the same hashing algorithm used by Ethereum pre-merge, Conflux would allow existing Ethereum mining rigs (especially GPU-based setups) to transition smoothly without costly hardware upgrades.
This compatibility lowers the barrier to entry for displaced miners who might otherwise face significant financial losses. With Ethereum’s mainnet merge expected around September 15–16, 2025, time is running out for miners reliant on PoW rewards.
Conflux’s move positions it as a potential haven for miners seeking continuity. If successful, the network could absorb a substantial portion of global hashrate currently dedicated to Ethereum, boosting both network security and decentralization.
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The Broader Context: Where Will Ethereum Miners Go?
As the PoS transition looms, the fate of Ethereum’s mining community has sparked intense debate across the crypto space. Figures like Bao Er Ye (a well-known Chinese crypto personality) have championed an Ethereum PoW fork, arguing that miners deserve their own chain where PoW principles endure.
He predicts that a new PoW-based Ethereum chain could capture 10% to 33% of Ethereum’s original market value, surpassing Ethereum Classic (ETC) in relevance and adoption. However, this vision faces strong resistance from key stakeholders.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly downplayed the long-term viability of any PoW fork, stating that most of the community supports the merge and that efforts to sustain PoW are often driven more by profit motives than ideological commitment.
Meanwhile, the ETC Cooperative, a nonprofit supporting Ethereum Classic’s development, has urged miners to consider migrating to ETC instead of pursuing a new fork. In an open letter addressed to Bao Er Ye, they emphasized that ETC offers a proven, stable PoW alternative with existing infrastructure and community support—making it a more sustainable option for long-term miner income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is CIP-102?
A: CIP-102 is a community-driven proposal by Conflux to change its Proof-of-Work mining algorithm to Ethash—the same algorithm used by Ethereum before its transition to Proof-of-Stake.
Q: Why is Conflux making this change?
A: The goal is to attract displaced Ethereum miners by offering hardware compatibility, allowing them to redirect their GPU mining rigs to Conflux with minimal friction.
Q: Will switching to Ethash guarantee miner adoption?
A: Not necessarily. While technical compatibility helps, factors like profitability, network stability, token price performance, and community trust will ultimately determine whether miners choose Conflux.
Q: Is Conflux regulated in China?
A: Conflux claims compliance with Chinese regulations and operates within legal frameworks applicable to blockchain infrastructure projects. It emphasizes transparency and public accessibility while adhering to local policies.
Q: Can CFX replace ETH for miners?
A: No cryptocurrency fully replaces another, but CFX may serve as a practical alternative for miners looking to preserve their hardware investments in a post-Ethereum PoW world.
Q: How does this affect the overall crypto mining landscape?
A: If successful, Conflux’s pivot could redistribute global hashrate and inspire other mid-tier blockchains to adopt similar strategies, leading to a more diversified mining economy beyond Bitcoin and legacy Ethereum.
Conflux’s proposal represents more than just a technical adjustment—it reflects a broader trend of blockchain networks adapting to ecosystem shifts. As Ethereum completes its final testnet merge on Goerli and prepares for mainnet activation, the pressure mounts on miners to find new homes.
While challenges remain—including uncertain adoption rates and competitive alternatives like ETC—Conflux’s proactive approach demonstrates how innovation can emerge from disruption. For miners weighing their options, networks like Conflux offer not just survival routes but opportunities to contribute to emerging ecosystems.
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