The Ethereum Classic blockchain network will undergo an upgrade named Thanos on November 29, 2020 at block #11,700,000.
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With the upgrade, the Ethereum Classic developers will double the Ethash epoch duration from 30,000 to 60,000 blocks, reducing the DAG size to prevent 51% attacks. The modification will allow miners with 3 GB and 4 GB GPU systems to resume mining ETC, increasing security and promoting a more distributed and healthy mining ecosystem, states an official announcement.
Dean Pappas, Marketing Director at ETCLabs, says the initial idea of the DAG was to create ASIC resistance to the mining protocol to avoid centralization of mining power.
"As evident by ASICs being developed that are capable of matching current GPU miners while being more energy efficient, the DAG has succeeded in leveling the playing field between GPU incumbents and ASIC challengers, avoiding ASIC takeover and domination, and leading to a competitive and large mining ecosystem," Pappas added.
In August 2020, Ethereum Classic's network faced a third in a row 51% attack.
According to Bitfly, the parent company of the mining pool Ethermine, the attack triggered a reorganization "of over 7000 blocks which corresponds to approximately 2 days of mining." The Ethereum Classic developers say they are "aware of potential repeated attacks."
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