Integrated circuits, methods, and computer programs are directed to performing proof-of-work (POW) operations. One integrated circuit includes a nonce register for storing a nonce value, a first one-way function (OWF) circuit configured to generate a hash of a header, a dynamic transform circuit configured to transform the hash of the header to generate a transform value, and a second OWF circuit configured to generate a hash of the transform value to obtain a validation parameter. The header includes the nonce value for POW validation of the header. Further, the transformation by the dynamic transform circuit is based on the nonce value. The validation parameter determines whether the POW meets a predetermined target for validation of the header with the nonce value.