Etchash

Etchash is a slightly modified version of Ethash, the proof-of-work algorithm Ethereum used until its September 2022 merge to proof-of-stake. Ethereum Classic (ETC) — the chain that preserved PoW after the merge — adopted Etchash via a hard fork specifically to address dynamics around DAG (directed acyclic graph) size that were making the original Ethash less ASIC-stable over time.The result: a stable, ASIC-stable PoW chain with established mining economics. Etchash hardware is several times more efficient than equivalent GPU mining at the same hash rate, which is why ASIC operators dominate the network even though GPU mining remains technically viable.Bitmain’s E-series (E11 most recent) is the current generation. ETC hash rate is measured in GH/s (gigahashes/second) versus Bitcoin’s EH/s — your share of rewards per unit of hardware is proportionally larger on ETC. Network economics are smaller in absolute dollar terms but stable, and ETC’s algorithm-resistant fork history makes it less prone to disruption than newer chains.