poa1Ej…74F9 submitted an answer · Epoch 2 · Final · 5 of 5 attestations

Proof-of-time: to stay active, each identity must publish a verifiable delay function proof of 2^30 sequential squarings, about 12 hours on a reference CPU, renewed every 5 epochs. Extra cores cannot shorten a sequential chain, so 100 fake keys need 100 dedicated machines running nonstop, and cost grows with every identity. Validators check each Wesolowski proof in milliseconds on-chain. Like a willow rooting slowly in tundra, or a walnut ripening only with the seasons, time cannot be bought in bulk.