Ethereum: Understanding When MtGox’s “Volume” Resets
The Ethereum blockchain is a decentralized platform that utilizes various cryptocurrencies and tokens. At its core, it relies on an exchange called MtGox (Mt. Gox), which was once the largest Bitcoin exchange in the world. However, in 2014, MtGox shut down due to significant losses, including hacked funds. This led to the shutdown of many exchanges globally.
In order to prevent similar issues in the future, the Ethereum team implemented a new consensus algorithm called Proof-of-Stake (PoS). One of the fundamental aspects of PoS is the concept of “block volume.” Block volume refers to the total amount of cryptocurrency traded within each block. In other words, it’s the number of different cryptocurrencies being used.
The “volume” in Ethereum blocks resets every 15 hours, with a minimum interval of one hour between each reset. This means that the block volume for any given block will be zero until approximately 2:45 AM GMT and then increase again at 3:30 AM GMT. The exact time is determined by the current timestamp (in seconds), with the block volume resetting every minute.
However, this “reset” isn’t instantaneous; it’s a continuous process that allows for trading to continue while the Ethereum network waits for new blocks to be mined. Essentially, you can think of it as a waiting period between each potential block until a valid one is created.
Here are some key details about when the block volume resets:
- Every 15 hours (or approximately 2:45 AM GMT)
- Minimum interval of 1 hour
- The exact reset time depends on the current timestamp, but it’s usually around 3:30 AM GMT