Well I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed no one, especially one of the devs here, took any time to look at an innovative solution to the current imbalance of merge mining that I attempted to share with this community.
I've studied these markets as well as their participants enough to notice obvious cognitive biases, and that's exactly what I'm witnessing in this thread. We have a number of users here claiming merge mining won't bring the price down. Well, where's the evidence of that? Every coin that has implemented auxPoW suffers from the same dilemma of having greater network hashrate at the cost of downward sell pressure.
Now whether this is a result of people mining Sys as a byproduct, spending no extra energy or effort on their part, then cashing in on that "free lunch" or if it's actually a matter of perception, is debatable. In the end it doesn't really matter why since the simple fact remains that history has shown that auxPoW coins constantly get dumped on the market, and it's lacking foresight on behalf of the developers to ignore this fact.
Moreover, the notion that auxPoW is about securing the network for future usage and spreading the hash around is misguided. auxPoW in itself doesn't ensure decentralization. In fact, if only a small number of large pools are merge mining an auxPoW coin it still leaves the network open to attack vectors such as selfish mining or even 51% attacks.
Personally, as I've already mentioned, I am impressed with Syscoin's functionality. Nevertheless, I feel the manner in which the blockchain is presently being secured leaves a lot to be desired. Multi vPoW addresses all of the issues that comes with an auxPoW blockchain. It actually provides a framework to create a productive balance with merge mining as well as creating a more decentralized and robust network while securing the network for future usage so that the coin can survive longterm.
While I am impressed with many aspects of what Syscoin is aiming to accomplish, I won't be conducting any business on this blockchain with how it is presently being secured.
I implore you to take 5 minutes and actually read this write up, then tell me multi vPoW doesn't make perfect sense for Syscoin.
Merged-mining’s Current ImbalanceWith “mono-proof-of-work” (mono-PoW) coins like Litecoin and Dogecoin that utilize one algorithm (Scrypt) to solve blocks, there is no obvious way to balance blockchain security (i.e. Litecoin’s larger network hashrate) with the inevitable selling pressure that is to follow (i.e. Litecoin miners dumping their “free” dogecoins for BTC/LTC). Even the perceived imbalance is enough to damage the child coin’s value; if Litecoin miners do not sell their dogecoins at the rate that the market anticipates, the market will still react as if the dumping is occurring at that higher rate. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy where one coin is placed a metaphorical pedestal above the other. Luckily, with the emergence of Myriadcoin’s “multi-proof-of-work” system (multi-PoW), a healthy partnership can be constructed between the two coins.
Multi-vPoW: A Symbiotic SolutionHere, I will propose a solution to the imbalance (and the subsequent low popularity) of merged-mining: multi-varying proof-of-work block rewards (multi-vPoW). [Note: There may be a better way to name this.]
Myriadcoin’s upcoming PolyMYR project, a merge-mining and auto-exchanging pool, will double as a cryptocurrency laboratory where the multi-vPoW solution can be rigorously researched and tested. To understand the solution best it requires a brief recap of how a multi-PoW system like Myriadcoin works. Myriadcoin has 5 algorithms (SHA256d, Scrypt, Skein, Qubit, and Myriad-Groestl) that can independently solve blocks. They have independent difficulties that are adjusted using the same formula. Any algorithm can solve the next block even if it is the same algorithm. Each algorithm targets the same block time and the block rewards are the same no matter which algorithm solves the block.
The multi-vPoW solution involves adjusting block rewards based on which algorithm finds the block. With Myriad as a parent multi-PoW, the child coin can become a multi-PoW (if it isn’t already) that selects a few algorithms that are merged-mined by parent Myriad algorithms and an algorithm(s) that is not merge-mined (creating a degree of overlap). The merge-mined algorithms would be programmed to have lower block rewards than the non merge-mined algorithm(s). This immediately creates many variables (number of merge-mine algorithms, number of non-merge-mine algorithms, block rewards, etc.) that can be tinkered with to create a proper balance of give and take.
For example, a developer wants to start a new X11 coin but is worried that a competitive and saturated altcoin mining arena may leave the coin prone to 51% attacks for lengthy periods of time early on. The developer wants guaranteed network security from the moment it launches so they decide to launch it as a multi-PoW with 5 algorithms: SHA256d, Scrypt, Skein, Myriad-Groestl, and X11. Merge-mining is enabled on the 4 algorithms it shares in common with Myriad (SHA256d, Scrypt, Skein, and Myriad-Groestl) while the X11 algorithm is devoid of the auxPoW merge-mining code. The 4 merge-mine algorithms could then be designed with block rewards of say, 25, while the block reward for X11 is 200. This would create a 25-to-200 ratio for the block rewards. Or maybe the ratio would be set to 40/200 or 10/200. Whatever the ratio may be, the bottom line is that Myriadcoin miners are paid for their contributions to the network security of the new coin in a manner that is not detrimental to the long-term value of the coin. So long as there is a fairly-balanced block reward design, Myriad miners should not have reason to complain about lesser block rewards because the child coins are ultimately “free lunch”. At the same time, the developer should not deprive merge-mined algorithms of block rewards altogether or else the merge-mining symbiosis becomes parasitic against the parent coin and the child coin would be dealt with naturally by the free market. It’s a matter of mutual respect that eliminates any real or perceived damage to either coin in the merge-mining partnership.