The Alpha Engine is HashNet’s proprietary system that automatically switches mining hardware between cryptocurrencies that share the same mining algorithm. It watches conditions across the networks HashNet supports and moves hardware to the most efficient coin for that moment, in roughly 12 milliseconds (company-reported), with no manual input.
The problem it solves
Mining conditions are never still. The most efficient coin for a machine can change many times a day. Traditionally operators stayed on one coin or switched manually and late. The Alpha Engine replaces that delay with an automatic, data-driven decision.
How it works, step by step
• Monitor. It continuously tracks conditions across all six coins HashNet mines, 24 hours a day.
• Group. Coins are organised by algorithm, because hardware can only mine coins that use the algorithm it was built for.
• Evaluate. Within each group, it compares the available coins and identifies the most efficient to mine right now.
• Switch. When a better option appears, hardware in that group moves to it automatically, in about 12 milliseconds.
• Deliver. Output converts to Bitcoin and is paid out on-chain to customer wallets, where it can be independently verified.
The algorithm groups
HashNet mines six coins across four algorithm groups:
• SHA-256: Bitcoin (BTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• Scrypt: Litecoin (LTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE)
• Equihash: Zcash (ZEC) — the only coin HashNet mines on this algorithm
• kHeavyHash: Kaspa (KAS)
An SHA-256 machine will never try to mine an Equihash coin. Keeping each decision inside its group is what makes the automatic switching both fast and reliable.
Why it matters ?
• No manual delay — decisions happen at machine speed.
• Consistency — the same logic runs day and night across the fleet.
• Checkable outcome — the Bitcoin payout at the end lands on-chain for anyone to verify.
