# Monero v17 Work Advances: RandomX V2 Lands in PR #10038

> Monero v17 progress: RandomX V2 lands in PR #10038. What changes in Monero's proof-of-work, why it matters for miners, and what comes next.

Source: https://ghostswap.io/monero-v17-randomx-v2-pr-10038/
Updated: 2026-10-02

RandomX V2 is a proposed update to Monero's proof-of-work algorithm, landing as [PR #10038](https://github.com/monero-project/monero/pull/10038) in the monero-project repository. It refines the existing RandomX design — the CPU-optimized PoW Monero [adopted on 2019-11-24](https://www.getmonero.org/resources/moneropedia/randomx.html) — to keep mining accessible to general-purpose hardware and resistant to specialized ASIC and FPGA miners.

**TL;DR:** RandomX V2 (PR #10038) tunes Monero's CPU-friendly proof-of-work to stay ahead of specialized mining hardware. It's developer work in progress, not a live network upgrade yet.

## What RandomX V2 changes

RandomX was built to favor general-purpose CPUs over dedicated mining chips. The original [RandomX design notes](https://github.com/tevador/RandomX/blob/master/doc/design.md) explain the rationale: a PoW that leans on the same features a fast CPU already has — large caches, out-of-order execution, branch prediction — makes purpose-built ASICs offer little advantage.

That advantage erodes over time as hardware vendors adapt. The [RandomX design.md](https://github.com/tevador/RandomX/blob/master/doc/design.md) anticipates this: parameters need periodic tuning to keep the gap between commodity CPUs and specialized silicon narrow.

PR #10038 is that tuning. It adjusts the algorithm's internals so mining stays practical on the kind of machine most people already own, rather than drifting toward farms of custom hardware.

## Why this matters for Monero users

- **Mining decentralization** — CPU-friendly PoW lets more people mine without buying specialized rigs. That spreads hash power across more participants.

- **No action needed today** — PR #10038 is code review and development. It is not deployed to mainnet. You don't need to do anything to your wallet now.

- **Watch the release notes** — when a network upgrade ships, the [Monero project](https://www.getmonero.org/) publishes a dated upgrade post. The 2019 RandomX rollout followed exactly that pattern.

## RandomX vs typical ASIC-oriented PoW

| Feature | RandomX (Monero) | Typical ASIC-oriented PoW |
|---|---|---|
| Target hardware | General-purpose CPUs | Custom ASIC chips |
| Mining accessibility | Commodity machines | Specialized rigs |
| Periodic tuning | Yes — e.g. PR #10038 | Rare |
| Stated design goal | Resist ASIC/FPGA advantage | Maximize hashes per watt |

Source for design goals: [RandomX design.md](https://github.com/tevador/RandomX/blob/master/doc/design.md), retrieved 2026-06-01.

## How to swap BTC into XMR

If you want XMR — to mine into, to hold, or to use — you can swap Bitcoin for it without opening an account. Here's the flow on GhostSwap:

- **Pick the pair** — open the [BTC to XMR pair page](/exchange/btc-xmr/) or the swap widget on the [homepage](/).

- **Enter your Monero address** — this is where your XMR lands. You also supply a refund address in case a swap can't complete.

- **Send your BTC** — funds pass through non-custodially; they're never held by GhostSwap.

- **Receive XMR** — swap completion time is typically 8–30 minutes, depending on chain congestion.

No sign-up, no email, no identity verification required to swap. Pricing is floating-rate from aggregated liquidity — the rate is set when your funds arrive, within the quoted spread, not when you click. With 1,600+ pairs live, you can swap into XMR directly.

## FAQ

**Q: Is RandomX V2 live on Monero mainnet?**
A: No. As of 2026-06-01, RandomX V2 is [PR #10038](https://github.com/monero-project/monero/pull/10038) — development work under review. A network upgrade would be announced separately on getmonero.org with a specific date.

**Q: Do I need to update my Monero wallet because of PR #10038?**
A: Not now. PR #10038 is not deployed. If and when it ships as part of a network upgrade, the Monero project will publish dated release notes telling node operators and miners what to do.

**Q: Why does Monero keep changing its proof-of-work?**
A: The [RandomX design notes](https://github.com/tevador/RandomX/blob/master/doc/design.md) explain that ASIC and FPGA makers adapt over time. Periodic tuning keeps mining practical on ordinary CPUs and narrows the advantage of specialized hardware.

**Q: Can I get XMR without an account?**
A: Yes. On GhostSwap there's no account, no email, and no identity verification to swap. You supply a receiving address and a refund address; funds pass through non-custodially and are never held.

Follow Monero proof-of-work changes at [getmonero.org](https://www.getmonero.org/), and when you want XMR, the [BTC to XMR pair page](/exchange/btc-xmr/) has the live swap.

**Related:** [no-KYC Monero exchange](https://ghostswap.io/monero-exchange/) · [how to buy Monero without KYC](https://ghostswap.io/how-to-buy-monero/)