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: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)
9 Downloads (Pure)

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
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

User-Defined Keywords

  • Bitcoin
  • Blockchain
  • complex network
  • network analysis

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