A Journey into Bitcoin Metadata

【Author】 Bartoletti, Massimo; Bellomy, Bryn; Pompianu, Livio

【Source】JOURNAL OF GRID COMPUTING

【影响因子】4.674

【Abstract】Besides recording transfers of currency, the Bitcoin blockchain is being used to save metadata - i.e. arbitrary pieces of data which do not affect transfers of bitcoins. This can be done by using different techniques, and for different purposes. For instance, a growing number of protocols embed metadata in the blockchain to certify and transfer the ownership of a variety of assets beyond cryptocurrency. A point of debate in the Bitcoin community is whether metadata negatively impact on the effectiveness of Bitcoin with respect to its primary function. This paper is a systematic analysis of the usage of Bitcoin metadata over the years. We discuss all the known techniques to embed metadata in the Bitcoin blockchain; we then extract metadata, and analyse them from different angles.

【Keywords】Bitcoin; Blockchain; Measurements

【发表时间】2019 MAR

【收录时间】2022-01-02

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