user65543: How does proof of work function?
Why does the "work" in proof of need to have zero utility for the economics of the cryptocurrency to be viable.

user76726: If the mathematical problems done by miners had value by themselves beyond blockchain purposes, a miner could work on two parallel blocks at the same time to try to pull a double spend, without losing much money with electricity, bandwidth and other mining costs.

65543: <p>How does proof of work function?</p>

<p>Why does the "work" in proof of need to have zero utility for the economics of the cryptocurrency to be viable.</p>
 76726: <p>If the mathematical problems done by miners had value by themselves beyond blockchain purposes, a miner could work on two parallel blocks at the same time to try to pull a double spend, without losing much money with electricity, bandwidth and other mining costs.</p>
