When one is discussing blockchain and cryptocurrencies, the first name that most hear is Proof of Work (PoW). It is the mechanism for consensus that enabled the foundation for Bitcoin as well as other generation-one cryptocurrencies to exist and flourish. To the newcomer to the industry, it may seem technical or sophisticated, but at its core, it is elegant and robust. Learning what it is and why it's important provides us with a better understanding of how crypto mining operates, why it's energy-intensive, and how it protects decentralized digital currency.