'Still Wrong': Dogecoin Dev Clarifies How DOGE Merge Mining Works

A discussion over Dogecoin's security model ensued on X after Dogecoin Foundation developer Paulo Vidal asked why Dogecoin remains dependent on another blockchain for its security.

According to Vidal, Dogecoin largely incentivizes merge mining; however, it does not have independent mining. He argues that as a result, its security is tied to another network, in this case Litecoin.

"Should Dogecoin ultimately be able to secure itself, or should it always depend on Litecoin?" Vidal asked.

Engaging with Vidal's post, a Dogecoin developer who goes by "junior developer" with X handle "Chromatic X" maintained a different view, pushing back on the assumption that Dogecoin depends on Litecoin for its security.

"Still wrong. Dogecoin does not depend on Litecoin. It depends on all merge-mined L1 scrypt coins," Chromatic X stated.

Merge mining allows users to mine two or more coins with the same hash power and proof-of-work algorithm with no splitting required. Coins that support merge mining include Dogecoin, Litecoin, Namecoin, and several other Scrypt-based coins.

Dogecoin and Litecoin remain the largest and most profitable combination for merge mining. This same view was echoed by Dogecoin co-founder Billy Markus, "Shibetoshi Nakamoto," who also joined the X conversation.

"Doge is the most profitable scrypt coin to mine. Auxpow just allows you to mine it with any other scrypt coin," Markus commented.

Dogecoin Litecoin Merge Mining

Dogecoin and Litecoin implemented merge mining in August 2014. Before this time, Dogecoin faced potential security risks due to its smaller hash rate, making it vulnerable to 51% attacks because fewer miners secured the network.

Now, 12 years later, the discussion is emerging about a potential shift, with a key question raised about whether "Dogecoin should be able to secure itself alone." The question remains unanswered and continues to divide participants.

It is a philosophical purity position that "Dogecoin should be able to secure itself alone," according to Chromatic X. But there are some in the Dogecoin community who think that it might be time for a change.

The idea of ditching merge mining may not go down well with some in the crypto community, including developers, because "most merge-mined scrypt-based cryptos depend on Dogecoin's issuance to make them viable to mine," Dogecoin Foundation director Timothy Stebbing said.