What Is Vertcoin?

Vertcoin (VTC) is a cryptocurrency that was launched in January 2014 with the fundamental commitment that mining should remain accessible to everyone with consumer-grade hardware. The project's motto, "the people's coin," reflects its core principle that ASIC mining hardware leads to centralization and that healthy decentralization requires keeping mining accessible to individuals with ordinary GPUs. Vertcoin has repeatedly changed its mining algorithm whenever ASIC miners have been developed for its current algorithm.

Vertcoin currently uses the Verthash mining algorithm, which was custom-designed specifically for the project. Verthash requires approximately 1.2 GB of data to be stored in memory during mining, making it memory-intensive and resistant to ASIC development. Previous algorithms used by Vertcoin include Lyra2REv3, Lyra2REv2, Lyra2RE, and the original Scrypt-N. Each algorithm change was made in response to ASIC hardware being developed for the preceding algorithm.

Vertcoin is closely modeled on Bitcoin in terms of its monetary policy. It has a maximum supply of 84 million coins (the same as Litecoin, or 4 times Bitcoin's supply), a 2.5-minute block time, and undergoes halving events that reduce the block reward over time. The project was launched with a fair distribution and no premine, ICO, or developer allocation. All VTC has been distributed through mining.

The project is entirely community-driven and volunteer-developed. Vertcoin provides a one-click miner application that makes it easy for anyone to start mining with their GPU, even without technical knowledge. The project has also implemented SegWit, supports the Lightning Network for instant off-chain transactions, and has participated in some of the first cross-chain atomic swaps between different cryptocurrency networks.

Getting Started With Vertcoin

  1. Step 1: Learn About Vertcoin. Visit vertcoin.org to understand Vertcoin's commitment to ASIC resistance, the Verthash mining algorithm, and its community-driven development model.
  2. Step 2: Download a Wallet. Install Vertcoin Core or the Vertcoin Electrum wallet. The Core wallet provides full node functionality, while Electrum offers a lightweight alternative that does not require downloading the full blockchain.
  3. Step 3: Mine or Purchase VTC. Download the Vertcoin one-click miner to start GPU mining, or purchase VTC on a supported exchange. Mining Vertcoin is designed to be accessible to anyone with a modern GPU.
  4. Step 4: Participate in the Community. Join the Vertcoin community on Discord or Reddit to connect with other users, miners, and developers. As a community-driven project, participation is the lifeblood of Vertcoin's development and growth.

How to Get a Vertcoin Wallet?

Vertcoin Core Wallet

The official Vertcoin Core wallet is a full-node wallet available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It downloads and verifies the entire blockchain, providing maximum security and contributing to network decentralization.

Vertcoin Electrum Wallet

A lightweight wallet based on Electrum that connects to remote servers instead of downloading the full blockchain. It provides fast setup and is suitable for users who want a simpler experience.

Vertcoin One-Click Miner

While primarily a mining application, the one-click miner includes wallet functionality and is the easiest way to get started with both mining and holding VTC. It automatically configures mining settings for your GPU.

Vertcoin Resources

How to Buy Vertcoin?

VTC is available on select exchanges including Bittrex and SouthXchange. Due to Vertcoin's focus on mining accessibility rather than exchange speculation, listings may be more limited than larger projects. Check the official website for current exchange availability.

Mining VTC with a GPU using the one-click miner is a straightforward alternative to purchasing on exchanges. This method aligns with Vertcoin's core philosophy of accessible mining for everyone.

Latest Vertcoin News

Vertcoin continues to maintain its commitment to ASIC-resistant mining through the Verthash algorithm. The community-driven project focuses on keeping GPU mining accessible and economically viable, a principle that has defined the project since its inception. Development efforts center on core protocol improvements, mining tool updates, and maintaining the one-click miner as an easy entry point for new GPU miners joining the network.