Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for determining a metadata M for securing a controlled digital resource such as computer software using a distributed hash table and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger. This is a blockchain such as the Bitcoin blockchain. The method includes determining a data associated with the computer software and determining a first hash value based on the computer software. A second hash value based on the data and the computer software may be determined. The method further includes sending 140, over a communications network, the data, the first hash value and the second hash value to an entry for storage in a distributed hash table. The second hash value may be a key of a key-value pair. The data and the first hash value may be a value in the key-value pair. A metadata (M) that is based on the second hash value may be determined for storage on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adapting connections between nodes of a layered network. The layered network comprises a plurality of nodes arranged in an ordered set of layers. The ordered set of layers comprises, in order, a core layer comprising a set of core nodes, a second layer comprising a set of second nodes, and one or more outer layers each comprising a respective set of outer nodes. Each core node is connected to at least one other core node. The method is performed by an adapting node, the adapting node being a node of the layered network that is connected to one or more second nodes and multiple core nodes. The method comprises, based on one or more network properties of the layered network, disabling a respective connection between the adapting node and at least one but not all of the multiple core nodes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (600) and system (1) for verifying ownership of a computer software after installation and prior to execution using a distributed hash table (13) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative implementation. The method includes determining (610) a second user public key associated with a second user (24) from a transaction record stored on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). A second public key associated with the second user may be determined (620) from an entry on the distributed hash table (13). The method further includes comparing (630) the second user public key and the second public key, and verifying (640) the ownership of the computer software based on the comparing of the second user public key and the second public key.

Abstract: A system comprising a layered network, wherein the layered network comprises a plurality of LN nodes arranged in an ordered set of layers, the ordered set of layers comprising, in order, a core layer comprising a plurality of master nodes each connected to one or more blockchain nodes of a blockchain network, one or more intermediate layers comprising a respective set of intermediate nodes, and a device layer comprising a set of end devices, wherein: each master node is configured to control a respective subset of intermediate nodes; a first master node is configured to control a first subset of intermediate nodes; a second master node is configured to control a second subset of intermediate nodes; and each intermediate node is configured to control a respective subset of end devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for distributed and/or parallel processing of data records, and in particular validation of blockchain transactions in a blockchain block. In a preferred embodiment, a distributed validation node is disclosed in which one or more transactions are allocated to a validating resource in a plurality of validating resources. The one or more transactions relates to a portion of a Merkle tree for the block, so that each validation resource is able to operate independently on verification of a subset of the block's transactions, each subset being based on a segment of the Merkle tree. The disclosure includes advantageous techniques for at least: allocation of tree segments to different validation resources, load balancing, download of the transactions to be validated, distributed UTXO pools, indexing schemes and prevention of double spend events.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing a blockchain transaction, wherein the method is performed by a receiving party and comprises: obtaining one or more probabilistic filters, wherein each probabilistic filter encodes one of i) one or more sets of whitelisted data items, or ii) one or more sets of blacklisted data items; obtaining a blockchain transaction, wherein the obtained blockchain transaction is associated with a candidate data item corresponding to i) one of the one or more sets of whitelisted data items, or ii) one on the one or more sets of blacklisted data items; and determining whether to process the obtained blockchain transaction based on whether the candidate data item is present in at least one of the one or more probabilistic filters.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a blockchain-implemented system and method of controlling the transmission and/or distribution of digital content. A first user transfers a deposit quantity of cryptocurrency to a common address. A first node associated with the first user: sends a request to the second node to provide an episode of digital content from a series of digital content; determines a payment transaction to transfer a payment quantity of cryptocurrency to the second user based on a quantity of episodes of digital content in the series; and signs and sends the payment transaction to a second node. The second node associated with the second user: receives the request and the payment transaction; verifies the payment transaction; and based on a result of verifying: provides access to the episode of digital content to the first node; and co-signs and sends the payment transaction to a distributed ledger.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of representing a first set of data items, wherein the method is performed by a first tree generator and comprises: allocating the first set of data items into a plurality of respective subsets; for each respective subset of data items, generating a respective hash tree based on the respective subset of data items, wherein the respective hash tree comprises a respective root node; and generating a respective first hash set representing the first set of data items, wherein the first hash set comprises each of the respective root nodes.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system is presented for controlling a blockchain transaction output and/or specifying the recipient of the output. It also provides a method of controlling and/or generating an electronic communication. The unlocking script is provided in order to spend an output from a further transaction (Tx2) on the blockchain. The input of the transaction (Tx1) and/or the output of the further transaction (Tx2) may be associated with a tokenised asset represented on, or referenced via, the blockchain. The notification address may be associated with an asset or resource represented on the blockchain, or a controller of an asset or resource represented on the blockchain. The notification address may be a network address, a cryptographic key, a uniform resource locator (URI), email address or any other address or identifier which can be represented in the metadata of a transaction script and used as a destination for an electronic communication.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (900) and system (1) for verifying the integrity of a computer software for installation using a distributed hash table (13) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative implementation. The method includes determining (910) a metadata associated with a transaction record stored on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). An indication of an entry stored on the distributed hash table (13) may be determined (920) from the metadata. The method further includes determining (930) a third hash value based on the computer software and determining (940) a fourth hash value from the entry on the distributed hash table (13). The method further includes comparing (950) the third hash value and the fourth hash value and verifying (960) the integrity of the computer software based on the comparing of the third hash value and the fourth hash value.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed ledge technologies such as consensus-based blockchains. Computer-implemented methods for a secure random number generation within blockchain scripts are described. The invention is implemented using a blockchain network, which may be, for example, a Bitcoin blockchain. A first transaction that includes a puzzle is validated at a node in a blockchain network, with the first transaction being associated with a digital asset, and with a solution to the puzzle being indeterminable at a time of validation of the first transaction. A pseudorandom number, based at least in part on a solution to the puzzle that is included in a second transaction, is generated at least in part by validating the second transaction, the second transaction created to transfer control of the digital asset associated with the first transaction. Control of the digital asset is transferred based at least in part on the pseudorandom number.

Abstract: The disclosure provides improved methods and systems for processing, storing, sharing, retrieving, writing, and accessing data (content) on a blockchain. In particular, improved efficiency and also enhanced access control permissions are provided. An embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the step of processing at least one blockchain transaction (Tx) comprising: a protocol flag; a discretionary public key (DPK); and a discretionary transaction ID (DTxID). These are discretionary in the sense that they are not required as part of the underlying blockchain protocol but in accordance with the present disclosure. This combination of features enables portions of data to be identified, retrieved, and shared on a blockchain, and also to be linked/associated with one another when provided in a plurality of transactions. It enables a graph or tree-like structure to be constructed, which reflects the hierarchical relationships between portions of data, facilitating their processing, searching, and sharing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (100) and system (1) for controlling the performance of a smart contract. The method includes storing a contract on or in a computer-based repository. The contract is associated with a licence between a first user (U1) and a second user (U2). The method further includes receiving, over a communications network, a transaction comprising a transfer of a token from an agent (A) to the first user (U1) or the second user (U2). The transaction comprises metadata that includes an identifier indicative of a location where the contract is stored. The method further includes querying a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (i.e. blockchain) to determine whether the transaction comprises at least one unspent output (UTXO). The method further includes, responsive to querying the peer-to-peer distributed ledger, determining whether to modify performance of the contract. The blockchain may be the Bitcoin blockchain.

Abstract: Improved Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) solutions for blockchain-implemented transfers are presented and can be implemented in one or more SPV wallets, or on smart cards etc. that can enable Alice to transfer an asset to Bob. Bob sends Alice a payment transaction template (template Tx3) and requests: the full transaction data for all input transactions (Tx1, Tx2) comprising at least one output that Alice wants to spend as inputs to a transfer (Tx3); the Merkle path for all input transactions (Tx1, Tx2) linking them to their respective Merkle roots associated with their respective block headers; the completed transfer transaction (Tx3). Alice provides this information plus her signature and optionally a change address. Bob can then perform local SPV checks using transactions Tx1 and Tx2, their corresponding Merkle paths Path 1, Path 2, and Bob's local list of block headers. Bob broadcasts the transfer transaction (Tx3) to the P2P network.

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: The invention provides methods and systems which enable additional functionality to be inserted into blockchain scripts with ease and in an effective and manner. According to one embodiment, the invention provides a blockchain-implemented method comprising the steps of arranging a plurality or selection of scripting language primitives to provide, upon execution, the functionality of a high-level scripting language primitive, wherein the scripting language is associated with a blockchain protocol; inserting the plurality of scripting language primitives at least once into a script; and inserting the script into blockchain transaction (Tx). The high-level scripting language primitive may perform, for example, an arithmetic operation such as multiplication or division. The scripting language primitives may be called op_codes, words, or commands, and are native to the scripting language. The scripting language may be Script, and the blockchain protocol may be a version of the Bitcoin protocol.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining information describing a property; dividing the information into at least two data items describing the property at at least two different levels of precision; obtaining a set of data items for generating a Merkle tree, the set of data items including the at least two data items; generating two or more leaf nodes of a Merkle tree by hashing each data item in the set of data items, wherein the Merkle tree comprises a plurality of leaf nodes including the two or more leaf nodes; and storing at least one of: the Merkle tree; instructions for generating the Merkle tree from the set of data items.

Abstract: A second party receives confirmation that a first party agrees to a statement. The second party receives a piece of information after said confirmation and after a cryptographic signature of the first party. To attest to this, the second party generates their own cryptographic signature by signing a portion of data comprising said piece of information or a transformation thereof. A network of nodes is then sent one or more transactions comprising the first and second signatures. Transactions are propagated across the network to be recorded in a blockchain on condition of meeting a validation condition. The validation condition for one of the one or more transactions is that the first signature is included in one of the one or more transactions, the second signature is included in one of the one or more transactions, and the second signature was generated by signing the particular portion of data.

Abstract: The invention provides mechanisms for enhancing the security and protection of a computer-based system or network. It relates, in part, to the use of a decoy (which may be termed “honeypot” or “honeynet”) for collecting attacker-related data, and/or diverting malicious behaviour away from legitimate resources. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising the steps of receiving, processing and logging network traffic data of a plurality of users, where the network traffic is received from a plurality of participating users; determining an attacker profile from the network traffic data; determining a honeypot or honeynet configuration based on the attacker profile; and upon receipt of a valid information request from a user of the plurality of users, providing the determined attacker profile and configuration to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a flow execution of a generated script transaction according to a blockchain protocol are disclosed. The method comprises using a software resource to determine how a logic is to be controlled and stored as a portion of code, generate an input by a computing resource as a result of a computation, retrieve the stored portion of code, and insert, based on the input, the stored portion of code into a transaction script associated with a blockchain transaction such that, upon execution of the transaction script. Embodiments allow the generation of a more complex blockchain script, control how the script will execute when implemented on the blockchain, and control how or when an output of the transaction is unlocked.