We have implemented an alternative difficulty algorithm on a test coin named zmark.

The new algo changes difficulty twice as frequently, and reduces the maximum change from 4x to 2x.  This should serve to dampen the effects of the low/high difficulty cycle, allowing the network and market to find equilibrium quicker, thereby keeping supply limited to some degree when demand is low, but without letting the network get too slow.

Historically Bitmark difficulty swings between ~500 and ~2000, +/- 4x, whilst the ideal difficulty is usually around 1000 for a performant network based on average market price through a difficulty cycle.  The proposed change would mean the difficulty would change 500 -> 1000 -> 2000, and the network effect should be that the diff will hover around where it should be with +/- 50% variance, never reaching the extreme 500 and 2000 swing.

Once we have the results of testing, and if they are positive, we will discuss the tradeoff here and vote as a community as to whether to change it or not.