A system and method for blockchains with serial proof of work includes a memory storing a blockchain, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to receive a miner identifier, receive a block of data for inclusion in a new block of the blockchain, determine an initial nonce based on the miner identifier, hash a combination of the block of data and the initial nonce to create a hashed value, iteratively determine an updated nonce based on the hashed value and update the hashed value by hashing the updated nonce until the updated hashed value satisfies a proof of work criteria, create the new block based on the block of data, the miner identifier, and the updated hashed value that satisfies the proof of work criteria, and share the new block with one or more other computing devices hosting the blockchain.