Lyra2RE Mining Algorithm: A Power-Efficient Solution for Cryptocurrency Mining

Lyra2RE Mining Algorithm: A Power-Efficient Solution for Cryptocurrency Mining

Lyra2RE Mining Algorithm: A Power-Efficient Solution for Cryptocurrency Mining

1. History of Creation

  • The Lyra2RE algorithm originated in July 2014, developed by the Vertcoin team to supersede Scrypt-N. Its goals: reduce energy consumption, counter ASIC domination, and encourage decentralized mining. The “RE” stands for Reduced Efficiency, signaling its design to be deliberately less optimal for specialized hardware and more accessible for consumer GPUs and CPUs.
  • Vertcoin's network later evolved to Lyra2REv2 in August 2015 (block 347000), adding a second round of CubeHash to the chaining of cryptographic hash functions to suppress CPU-based botnets and maintain GPU-favoring mining.
  • Lyra2RE and Lyra2REv2 chain together several hash functions: Blake → Keccak → CubeHash → LYRA2 → Skein → CubeHash (again in v2) → Blue Midnight Wish (BMW). As such, mining hardware must handle multiple cryptographic stages, increasing complexity and energy use.
  • Lyra2RE’s memory-hard design provided power efficiency—~30% lower power usage than Scrypt-N and ~17% lower than X11—making it well-suited to reduce heat and consumption while keeping hardware accessible.

2. Role of the Algorithm in Mining

  • Lyra2RE’s primary role is as a Proof-of-Work (PoW) algorithm promoting power efficiency and ASIC resistance. By chaining multiple hash functions and demanding memory resources, it makes custom hardware development less appealing.
  • The shift to Lyra2REv2 was sparked when a CPU botnet began dominating Vertcoin’s mining, prompting the addition of another CubeHash round to further level the playing field.
  • Moreover, because Véritcoin and similar coins using Lyra2 variations are memory-intensive, they enhance power efficiency by reducing compute-heavy operations—and by extension, heat and electricity costs—while maintaining decentralization.

3. Applications Beyond Mining

  • Though designed for mining, Lyra2RE’s architecture has broader implications when combined with data mining algorithms and machine learning techniques:
    • Clustering & Classification: The chained and memory-centric flow resembles layered processing in classification algorithms. Researchers could draw analogies between the multi-stage hashing process and cluster algorithm in data mining, k-means algorithm in data mining, or algorithm for data mining classification when partitioning large datasets.
    • Unsupervised Learning & Pattern Extraction: The algorithm's structure suggests novel ways to organize large datasets into clusters, extract frequent patterns, or derive association rules. Hybrid workflows might use Lyra2-inspired pipelines to preprocess data for apriori algorithm in data mining, frequent groups, or decision-rule derivation.
    • Machine-Learning-based Preprocessing: Lyra2’s memory-hard nature could feed into unsupervised learning models that use hashing as a dimensionality-reduction or anonymization layer, offering alternative regression or analysis workflows on sensitive data.
  • The modular, chained design offers a method to sequence processing steps, reminiscent of rule-based systems built atop cryptographic primitives in decentralized analytics.

4. Advantages and Issues of the Algorithm

  • Advantages
    • Power Efficiency: Lyra2RE outperforms older algorithms by consuming significantly less power per hash, lowering heat output and electricity costs.
    • ASIC Resistance: Its multi-function chain and optional parameters (Lyra2’s tunable memory/time settings) delay ASIC dominance, preserving GPU and CPU mining access.
    • Parameter Flexibility: The underlying Lyra2 is adaptable—developers can adjust memory usage, computation time, and parallelism—raising costs for attackers and customizing mining for different constraints.
    • Decentralization: By avoiding power-hungry, specialized setups, Lyra2RE fosters participation diversity and aligns with decentralized ethos.
  • Issues
    • ASIC Erosion: Over time, ASICs and FPGAs capable of Lyra2REv2 have emerged, reducing its resistance.
    • 51% Attacks: Coins like MonaCoin and Verge that adopted Lyra2REv2 experienced security breaches. For example, Verge suffered multiple 51% attacks using this algorithm, and MonaCoin was attacked in 2018, underscoring limitations in security despite algorithm complexity.
    • Limited Long-Term Adoption: Many projects have since migrated to newer PoW algorithms, such as Lyra2REv3 (Vertcoin), or abandoned the chain entirely due to emerging threats.,
    • Implementation Complexity: Chained algorithms introduce complexity in miner development, making debugging and optimization more intricate.

5. Future of the Algorithm

  • While Lyra2RE and v2 paved the way as power-efficient and decentralized PoW options, the algorithm’s future lies more in inspiration than persistence:
    • Evolving PoW Models: Vertcoin’s move to Lyra2REv3 in 2019 signals ongoing innovation toward ASIC resistance.
    • FPGA Implementations: Studies have demonstrated FPGA cores outperform GPUs in energy efficiency for Lyra2 hashing, introducing avenues for hybrid hardware use.
    • Cross-Pollination with ML: Lyra2’s tunable parameters and chained structure can model multi-stage data transformation pipelines in machine learning, facilitating unsupervised clustering, decision-rule extraction, frequent-pattern analysis, or regression, and may guide future data mining and algorithms frameworks.
    • Custom KDFs & Privacy Tools: Given Lyra2’s original design for password hashing and key derivations, its traits may influence secure storage, authentication, or anonymization utilities outside mining

6. Cryptocurrencies Mined with the Algorithm

  • Several notable cryptocurrencies have utilized Lyra2RE variants:
    • Vertcoin (VTC) – Pioneered Lyra2RE and v2; later upgraded to Lyra2REv3.
    • MonaCoin (MONA) – Switched from Scrypt to Lyra2REv2 for ASIC resistance; suffered a 51% attack in 2018.
    • Verge (XVG) – Multi-algo support includes Lyra2REv2 among Scrypt, X17, Myr-Groestl, Blake2s; breached multiple times via low-difficulty vectors.
    • Others: Rupee (RUP), Straks (STAK), Shield (XSH), Galactrum (ORE), Kreds (KREDS), Absolute, MSS, and various altcoins also use Lyra2REv2.
  • Platform tools like minerstat and WhereToMine list dozens of Lyra2REv2 coins, aggregated hashrate, and profitability metrics

7. Conclusion

  • Lyra2RE stands out as a power-efficient, memory-intensive, chained PoW algorithm designed to democratize mining and resist ASIC centralization. Its evolution to Lyra2REv2 added CPU resistance and improved efficiency, albeit ultimately challenged by specialized hardware and network security issues.
  • Beyond cryptocurrency, Lyra2’s structural traits—chain-based hashing, tunable memory/time, and multi-stage processing—suggest new approaches for data mining and algorithms, particularly in machine learning pipelines involving clustering, unsupervised learning, association rule mining, classification, regression, and frequent-pattern extraction from large datasets.
  • While its direct use may dwindle, Lyra2RE’s legacy persists in both the philosophy of fair PoW and as a design metaphor for methodical, layered data transformations in decentralized systems. Its architecture remains known for balancing efficiency and resistance, and similar patterns may inform future innovation across blockchain and data science.

What algorithms does the digital miner support?

Digital miners from GoMining use the most efficient algorithms available today for mining various cryptocurrencies on different types of hardware. These algorithms are optimized for maximum performance and profitability, targeting specific coin protocols. After mining, the cryptocurrencies are converted into Bitcoin, providing users with a simple and efficient way to accumulate BTC without the need for complex setups or specialized equipment. This approach allows users to take advantage of various mining opportunities in the crypto space.

Set Up your miner
مشاهدة التعدين في الوقت الحقيقي
استكشف البث المباشر من مراكز بياناتنا الفعلية في الولايات المتحدة، حيث يتم تعدين البيتكوين على مدار الساعة. هذه الآلات القوية هي العمود الفقري لكل مُعدِّن رقمي — وهي مصدر مكافآت البيتكوين التي تربحها
9 800 000 TH
إجمالي معدل التجزئة في مراكز بيانات GoMining
99% uptime
مضمونة من قبل فنيين متخصصين ومراقبة مستمرة
Mining Map

قم بإنشاء أول أداة تعدين لك

ابدأ رحلة تعدينك اليوم عبر تطبيق تعدين العملات الرقمية الخاص بنا واحصل على أول مكافآت BTC في غضون 24 ساعة فقط.