A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the primary component of a computer responsible for executing instructions from software and managing hardware operations. In cryptocurrency, CPUs were originally used to mine coins like Bitcoin, but as mining difficulty increased, they were largely replaced by more powerful GPUs and ASICs. Some cryptocurrencies, such as Monero, are specifically designed to remain CPU-mineable to promote decentralization.
Example
“In Bitcoin's early days, miners could profitably mine BTC using only a standard CPU. Today, CPU mining is mostly limited to privacy coins like Monero, which use algorithms designed to resist specialized mining hardware.”