The Delayed Proof of Work consensus method was first used on Komodo, a cryptocurrency connected to Bitcoins blockchain and utilizing its hash rate. A dPoW blockchain can be attached to any PoW blockchain and can either use the Proof of Work or Proof of Stake consensus.

dPoW has two different types of nodes. Normal nodes and 64 notary nodes, which are voted in by the dPoW blockchains stakeholders. These notary nodes need a majority of 33 to sign a completed block into the Bitcoin blockchain.

When mining, notary nodes are allowed to mine at a lower difficulty of mining than normal nodes which adds on security and prevents mining wars.

dPoW reduces high energy usage by preventing mining with ASICs and uses a circulating right to mine method for notary nodes which decreases the competition between nodes, hence saving energy.