Crypto 101 · Proof of work
What Is Dogecoin Mining? Merged Mining and Live Network Stats
Abstract
Dogecoin is mined with Scrypt and pays a constant 10,000 coins per block. Because it accepts auxiliary proof of work, Litecoin miners can mine it for no extra electricity. We explain how Dogecoin mining works, show live network statistics, provide a calculator and describe how to receive the payouts in a wallet you control.
Keywords: Dogecoin mining, merged mining, Scrypt ASIC, DOGE mining calculator, Litecoin
1. What Dogecoin mining is
Dogecoin uses proof of work with the Scrypt algorithm [1]. Miners compete to find blocks, targeting one every minute, and the winner receives a constant 10,000 DOGE plus fees [2, 3]. Because the reward does not halve, mining income depends mostly on your share of the network and the coin's price, not on a schedule of cuts.
2. The network right now
3. What could a Scrypt miner earn?
4. The Litecoin connection
Dogecoin activated auxiliary proof of work at block 371,337, which is what lets it accept a parent chain's proof of work [3, 4]. In practice Scrypt miners point at a pool that mines Litecoin as the main chain and Dogecoin as a merged chain, earning both. See merged mining explained and Litecoin mining.
5. Go deeper: reading Dogecoin's economics
Constant issuance means about 5.26 billion new DOGE a year, and the inflation percentage keeps shrinking as the total grows, as worked out in Dogecoin tokenomics. For a miner that means income in DOGE is steady, while income in dollars follows the price. A proper estimate uses the live network hashrate and price, as in mining profitability.
6. How it differs from Bitcoin mining
- Different hardware: Bitcoin uses SHA-256 machines; Dogecoin uses Scrypt machines, the same family that mines Litecoin.
- No halving: the reward stays at 10,000 DOGE per block, so income does not fall on a schedule [2].
- Faster blocks: one per minute, so payouts and pool statistics update quickly [3].
- Merged with another chain: the same work can also mine Litecoin, so electricity is counted once [4].
7. Getting paid
A pool sends earnings to the address you give it. Create a Dogecoin wallet, copy the receive address into your pool settings and follow the payouts under Activity. Live prices, supply and network data are on the Dogecoin price page, and there is a Dogecoin mining calculator with pool-fee fields.
References
- Dogecoin Core developers (2013). Dogecoin Core. Repository and README: Dogecoin's use of the Scrypt hashing method for proof of work. https://github.com/dogecoin/dogecoin
- Dogecoin Core developers (2013). GetDogecoinBlockSubsidy (src/dogecoin.cpp). Dogecoin Core source code: a constant 10,000 DOGE per block once the chain passes 6 halving intervals (block 600,000). https://github.com/dogecoin/dogecoin/blob/master/src/dogecoin.cpp
- Dogecoin Core developers (2013). chainparams.cpp. Dogecoin Core source code: 60-second target spacing; AuxPoW (merged mining) effective from block 371,337. https://github.com/dogecoin/dogecoin/blob/master/src/chainparams.cpp
- Bitcoin Wiki contributors (2011). Merged mining specification. Bitcoin Wiki: how one proof of work can secure more than one chain (auxiliary proof of work). https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Merged_mining_specification
Common questions
How many Dogecoin does a block pay?
A constant 10,000 DOGE per block after block 600,000, with a one-minute target block time.
Do I need a separate miner for Dogecoin?
No. A Scrypt ASIC that mines Litecoin can also mine Dogecoin through merged mining.
General education, not financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are schematic. Protocol parameters are cited to primary sources and can change; verify against the linked source before relying on them.