ASIC resistance is like trying to make a puzzle that no one can memorize shortcuts for. Some cryptocurrencies change their hashing algorithms or modify them in ways that supposedly deter specialized hardware. While it may work temporarily, determined manufacturers often find ways to build optimized chips for nearly any algorithm, given enough incentive.

Bitcoin doesn’t aim for ASIC resistance. Its proof-of-work stands on the principle that specialization eventually happens, and market forces determine mining hardware competitiveness. Advocates say that acceptance of ASICs leads to a more stable ecosystem without constant algorithm changes. Critics, however, worry about centralization as only a few companies produce these specialized chips.