Abstract: A computer-implemented method of propagating blockchain messages, wherein a blockchain network comprises a plurality of blockchain nodes, wherein each blockchain node is associated with a respective set of blockchain nodes, wherein the method is performed by a first blockchain node and comprises: making a first blockchain message available to each blockchain node belonging to the respective set of blockchain nodes associated with the first blockchain node, wherein the respective set of blockchain nodes comprises some but not all of the plurality of blockchain nodes.

Abstract: The invention resides in a computer-implemented communication method. The method comprises a mechanism for service provisioning from a service provider to one or more devices in a plurality of devices controlled by, or associated with, a device controller. In an example embodiment, the service provider allocates a set of IPv6 addresses to the device controller. In turn, the device controller allocates or communicates one or more of the set of IPv6 addresses to at least one of the devices. The device then includes the one or more IPv6 address that it has received from the device controller in an access request to the service provider. Upon verification that the requesting device is authorised by the device controller, the service provider provides the service to the one or more addresses included in the access request.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a network address, wherein the method comprises: generating a first blockchain transaction, wherein the first transaction comprises a first data item based on a public key; and generating a first network address based on one or more second data items related to the first blockchain transaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a challenge blockchain transaction, wherein the challenge blockchain transaction is associated with a puzzle and a proof criterion, wherein the puzzle is satisfied by a puzzle solution, and wherein the proof criterion is satisfied by a proof, the method comprising: generating a first locking script of the challenge blockchain transaction which, when executed with a first unlocking script of a solution blockchain transaction comprising a candidate puzzle solution, a public key, a candidate proof, and a signature generated for the solution blockchain transaction is configured to: verify that the candidate puzzle solution satisfies the puzzle; verify that the signature is valid for the public key; and verify that the candidate proof satisfies the proof criterion, wherein the proof criterion requires that the candidate proof is derived from the candidate puzzle solution and the public key; and making the challenge blockchain transaction available to one or more nodes o

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a puzzle blockchain transaction. A first locking script of the puzzle blockchain transaction is provided, the first locking script corresponding to a first unspent transaction output and comprising a hash value derived from a target solution of a time-lock puzzle, and a set of puzzle parameters of the time-lock puzzle. The target solution is computed using a set of secret puzzle parameters. The time-lock puzzle is solvable using the set of puzzle parameter in a time equal to or greater than a minimum solving time. The set of puzzle parameters does not comprise the secret puzzle parameters. The locking script is configured to, when executed with a first unlocking script of a solution blockchain transaction, verify a candidate solution, computed using the set of puzzle parameters, provided in the first unlocking script of the solution blockchain transaction based on the hash value.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for time-locking a blockchain transaction. The method comprises computing a solution to a time-lock puzzle using a set of secret puzzle parameters. The time-lock puzzle is solvable using a set of puzzle parameter in a time equal to or greater than a minimum solving time. The set of puzzle parameters does not comprise the secret puzzle parameters. The method further comprises generating a transaction encryption key K, encrypting the blockchain transaction using the encryption key K, and encrypting the transaction encryption key K using the solution to the time-lock puzzle.