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Complex network analysis of the Bitcoin transaction network

  • Bishenghui TAO
  • , Hong-Ning DAI
  • , Jiajing WU
  • , Ivan Wang-Hei HO
  • , Zibin ZHENG
  • , Chak Fong CHEANG*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

Abstract

In this brief, we conduct a complex-network analysis of the Bitcoin transaction network. In particular, we design a new sampling method, namely random walk with flying-back (RWFB), to conduct effective data sampling. We then conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Bitcoin network in terms of the degree distribution, clustering coefficient, the shortest-path length, connected component, centrality, assortativity, and the rich-club coefficient. We obtain several important observations including the small-world phenomenon, multi-center status, preferential attachment, and non-rich-club effect of the current network. This work brings up an in-depth understanding of the current Bitcoin blockchain network and offers implications for future directions in malicious activity and fraud detection in cryptocurrency blockchain networks.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1009-1013
Number of pages5
JournalIEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II: Express Briefs
Volume69
Issue number3
Early online date15 Nov 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2004-2012 IEEE.

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund, Macau SAR (File no. 0028/2021/A1).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

  • Bitcoin
  • Blockchain
  • complex network
  • network analysis

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