ProgPOW: Programmatic Proof of Work

Programmatic Proof-of-Work (ProgPoW) is a consensus mechanism blockchains can employ to reduce the efficiency of mining using ASICs. This expands the universe of potential miners, by giving nodes the opportunity to mine without requiring specialized hardware. With the goal of avoiding centralization of mining power on the network by making mining operations ASIC resistant. 

It works by reprogramming the cryptoassets Proof of Work algorithm at regular and short intervals of approximately 50 blocks. Because the algorithm used for mining is reconfigured so frequently. Miners do not have the chance to develop and deploy specialized hardware like ASICs to mine the chain.

Meaning anyone with a standard GPU machine should be able to mine the network. Hopefully increasing miner numbers and leading to a more decentralized network.

Further Reading ProgPOW

Understanding ProgPoW. Performance and Tuning