> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hub.bsvblockchain.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hub.bsvblockchain.org/higher-learning/bsv-academy/bsv-basics-protocol-and-design/coins-and-transactions-bitcoin-protocol-and-design/difficulty-adjustment-mechanism.md).
# Difficulty Adjustment Mechanism
To ensure fairness and consistency in the mining process, the **Difficulty Adjustment Algorithm** plays a pivotal role. This algorithm adjusts the difficulty of the hash puzzle every **block**, based on the total computational power of the network. The primary objectives of this adjustment are twofold:
1. **Resource Contribution and Security**: As more nodes join the network, the difficulty of the puzzle increases, requiring greater computational resources. This ensures that only those nodes that invest significant resources remain competitive, thereby enhancing the overall security of the network.
2. **Predictable Block Times**: The algorithm is designed to maintain an average block production time of **ten minutes**. This predictability is crucial for the stability and reliability of the ledger, allowing users to anticipate when transactions will be confirmed.
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