Primecoin is a cryptocurrency that implements a proof-of-work system that searches for chains of prime numbers. Primecoin was the first cryptocurrency to have a proof-of-work system with a practical use. Earlier cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, were mined using algorithms that solved arbitrary mathematical problems, the results of which had no value or use outside of mining the cryptocurrency itself. Primecoin’s algorithm, however, computed chains of prime numbers, the results of which were published on its blockchain’s public ledger, available for use by scientists, mathematicians, and anyone else. Use of a proof-of-work system to calculate chains of prime numbers was an innovation that produced useful results while also meeting the criteria for a proof-of-work system: it involved a calculation that was difficult to perform but easy to verify, and the difficulty was adjustable. Primecoin targets a block generation period of one minute rather than every ten minutes, changes difficulty every block rather than every 2016 blocks, and has a dynamic block reward that is a function of the difficulty. Primecoin transactions are confirmed approximately 8–10 times as fast as Bitcoin transactions.

Original author – Sunny King, (pseudonym)
Programming language of implementation – TypeScript, C++
Initial release – 7 July 2013
Development status – Active
Website – primecoin.io