Abstract: Methods performed by a validation one or a sender one of a plurality of nodes implemented by computing devices in a network. The sender node sends, to the validation node, a request to transfer an amount of virtual currency from a sender account (associated with transaction receipts) to a recipient account. The request includes first copies of the receipts or references thereto. The validation node requests second copies of the receipts from at least two of the nodes, and receives the second copies from fewer than all of the nodes. The validation node determines whether the first copies have been tampered with by comparing the first and second copies to one another. When tampering has not occurred, at least one new receipt is generated indicating the amount has been transferred. Then, the at least one new receipt is forwarded to fewer than all of the nodes for storage.

Abstract: A plurality of nodes implemented by computing devices in a network include sender and recipient nodes. The sender node sends, to the validation node, a request to transfer an amount of virtual currency from a sender account (associated with transaction receipts) to a recipient account. The request includes first copies of the receipts or references thereto. The validation node requests second copies of the receipts from at least two of the nodes, and receives the second copies from fewer than all of the nodes. The validation node determines whether the first copies have been tampered with by comparing the first and second copies to one another. When tampering has not occurred, at least one new receipt is generated indicating the amount has been transferred. Then, the at least one new receipt is forwarded to fewer than all of the nodes for storage.

Abstract: A system including a network connected to at least one mint computing device implementing a virtual currency mint. The network has a ring topology and includes computing devices that implement a plurality of nodes. The mint issues units of virtual currency to user accounts implemented by the nodes. Each of at least a portion of the nodes is configured to initiate (as a sender node) a transaction with a recipient node that transfers at least one unit of the virtual currency from a sender one of the user accounts to a recipient one of the user accounts. The recipient node validates the transaction, creates a receipt, performs an operation on the receipt to identify a storage node, and routes the receipt to the storage node. The storage node stores the receipt, identifies next storage nodes, and routes copies of the receipt to the next storage nodes for storage thereby.

Abstract: A system including a network connected to at least one mint computing device implementing a virtual currency mint. The network has a ring topology and includes computing devices that implement a plurality of nodes. The mint issues units of virtual currency to user accounts implemented by the nodes. Each of at least a portion of the nodes is configured to initiate (as a sender node) a transaction with a recipient node that transfers at least one unit of the virtual currency from a sender one of the user accounts to a recipient one of the user accounts. The recipient node validates the transaction, creates a receipt, performs an operation on the receipt to identify a storage node, and routes the receipt to the storage node. The storage node stores the receipt, identifies next storage nodes, and routes copies of the receipt to the next storage nodes for storage thereby.

Abstract: A system including a network connected to at least one mint computing device implementing a virtual currency mint. The network has a ring topology and includes computing devices that implement a plurality of nodes. The mint issues units of virtual currency to user accounts implemented by the nodes. Each of at least a portion of the nodes is configured to initiate (as a sender node) a transaction with a recipient node that transfers at least one unit of the virtual currency from a sender one of the user accounts to a recipient one of the user accounts. The recipient node validates the transaction, creates a receipt, performs an operation on the receipt to identify a storage node, and routes the receipt to the storage node. The storage node stores the receipt, identifies next storage nodes, and routes copies of the receipt to the next storage nodes for storage thereby.

Abstract: Methods for use with computing devices implementing a plurality of nodes of a ring-shaped overlay network. A joining node implemented by a joining computing device requests a connection with a bootstrap one of the plurality of nodes. In response, the bootstrap node sends a handshake identifier to the joining node. The joining node loads one or more portions of selected software code as a byte stream, and performs an operation (e.g., a hash function) on the handshake identifier and the byte stream to determine a first value. The joining node transmits the first value to the bootstrap node. The bootstrap node compares the first value to a second value. When the first and second values are identical, the bootstrap node validates the joining node. When the first and second values are not identical, the bootstrap node rejects the joining node thereby preventing the joining node from joining the overlay network.

Abstract: Methods for use with computing devices implementing a plurality of nodes of a ring-shaped overlay network. A joining node implemented by a joining computing device requests a connection with a bootstrap one of the plurality of nodes. In response, the bootstrap node sends a handshake identifier to the joining node. The joining node loads one or more portions of selected software code as a byte stream, and performs an operation (e.g., a hash function) on the handshake identifier and the byte stream to determine a first value. The joining node transmits the first value to the bootstrap node. The bootstrap node compares the first value to a second value. When the first and second values are identical, the bootstrap node validates the joining node. When the first and second values are not identical, the bootstrap node rejects the joining node thereby preventing the joining node from joining the overlay network.

Abstract: Methods performed by a validation one or a sender one of a plurality of nodes implemented by computing devices in a network. The sender node sends, to the validation node, a request to transfer an amount of virtual currency from a sender account (associated with transaction receipts) to a recipient account. The request includes first copies of the receipts or references thereto. The validation node requests second copies of the receipts from at least two of the nodes, and receives the second copies from fewer than all of the nodes. The validation node determines whether the first copies have been tampered with by comparing the first and second copies to one another. When tampering has not occurred, at least one new receipt is generated indicating the amount has been transferred. Then, the at least one new receipt is forwarded to fewer than all of the nodes for storage.

Abstract: A system including a network connected to at least one mint computing device implementing a virtual currency mint. The network has a ring topology and includes computing devices that implement a plurality of nodes. The mint issues units of virtual currency to user accounts implemented by the nodes. Each of at least a portion of the nodes is configured to initiate (as a sender node) a transaction with a recipient node that transfers at least one unit of the virtual currency from a sender one of the user accounts to a recipient one of the user accounts. The recipient node validates the transaction, creates a receipt, performs an operation on the receipt to identify a storage node, and routes the receipt to the storage node. The storage node stores the receipt, identifies next storage nodes, and routes copies of the receipt to the next storage nodes for storage thereby.