Proof of Capacity (PoC)

Proof of capacity (PoC) is a consensus mechanism that allows miners to mine crypto using the empty space on their drives.

It works by storing a list of possible solutions on a miner's drive before mining even starts. The more drive space a miner has, the more chances to match the required hash value from the list. That increases the miner’s chances of winning the mining reward.

What makes PoC different from other consensus mechanisms? A key feature of PoC is that it requires very little energy to run, compared to other consensus algorithms such as proof of work (PoW).

PoC also relies on a user's storage capacity to verify blocks, which makes it more environmentally friendly. Proof of capacity is also known as “proof of space.”