University of Cagliari
A Journey into Bitcoin Metadata
Bartoletti, Massimo;Pompianu, Livio
2019-01-01
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.
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| File | Size | Format | |
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| main.pdf open access
Description: Articolo principale
Type: versione pre-print
Size 460.81 kB
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460.81 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
| Bartoletti2019_Article_AJourneyIntoBitcoinMetadata.pdf Solo gestori archivio
Description: articolo principale
Type: versione editoriale
Size 1.35 MB
Format Adobe PDF
|
1.35 MB | Adobe PDF | & nbsp; View / Open Request a copy |
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