BitBOINC: Difference between revisions
update infobox stats |
mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
| size = | | size = | ||
| stats as of = {{Start date and age|2026|09|30}} | | stats as of = {{Start date and age|2026|09|30}} | ||
| average performance = | | average performance = 29.312 TFLOPS | ||
| active users = 39 | | active users = 39 | ||
| total users = 39 | | total users = 39 | ||
Revision as of 13:16, 30 September 2026
BitBOINC is an active BOINC-based volunteer computing project that uses donated computer time to search for the private keys associated with selected, long-unclaimed Bitcoin puzzle addresses.[1] The project is part of the Athena network and is operated by Alperen Yavuz.[1]
BitBOINC distinguishes its work from Bitcoin mining. It does not create new coins, mine blocks, or contribute to the operation or security of the Bitcoin network. Instead, it searches a fixed set of publicly known addresses whose private keys were deliberately placed within specified numerical ranges as a public challenge.[2]
History
BitBOINC was publicly announced on 28 September 2026. The project initially described its applications as being rolled out in stages while applications for different operating systems, processor types, and graphics processors were compiled and tested.[3]
On 29 September 2026, the project announced that both of its search applications were active. It also announced support for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android on CPUs, together with GPU support using NVIDIA CUDA, OpenCL, and Apple Silicon Metal.[4]
Research and computation
Bitcoin puzzle addresses
The project works on a series of Bitcoin addresses created as a public cryptographic challenge. According to BitBOINC, the puzzles were numbered sequentially, with the private key for puzzle number n placed somewhere in an n-bit range. The series extends to puzzle number 160, although many of the larger puzzles remain unsolved.[2]
The search is based on the relationship between a Bitcoin private key and its corresponding public key and address. In simplified form, a candidate private key k is transformed into a public key using elliptic-curve multiplication:
where G is the generator point of the elliptic curve used by Bitcoin. The resulting public key is then processed to derive an address. A candidate is successful only when the derived address matches the target address.
The project does not publish the precise subranges already searched. It instead publishes aggregate progress information, because revealing the searched locations could allow unrelated searches to avoid the same regions.[2]
Applications
BitBOINC currently provides two search applications:
- Potamos performs a sequential search, testing private keys one at a time. The project describes this method as exhaustive but practical mainly for smaller key ranges.[2]
- Keraunos uses Pollard's kangaroo algorithm, a discrete-logarithm search method. BitBOINC states that Keraunos can be used when the public key for a target has already been exposed on the Bitcoin blockchain, such as when the address has previously sent a transaction.[2]
Only one target is processed at a time for each application. When a target is solved, or when the project determines that another party has claimed its coins, the server can move to the next target in the queue.[2]
As of 29 September 2026, BitBOINC reported that Keraunos was working on puzzle number 140 and Potamos was working on puzzle number 71.[4]
Volunteer computing
BitBOINC distributes work through BOINC. A volunteer installs the BOINC client, attaches it to the BitBOINC project, and allows the client to run tasks according to the volunteer's resource preferences. The project states that any computer with a supported CPU or GPU can participate.[1]
The project reports that returned results are independently checked before being accepted and credited. It also announced that its credit calculation had been changed to use a native BOINC-style calculation based on the work performed by the participant's hardware.[4]
Supported CPU platforms include Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android. GPU acceleration is available through NVIDIA CUDA, OpenCL implementations, and Metal on Apple Silicon, subject to application and hardware support.[4]
Security and handling of results
BitBOINC states that its application reads the work packet supplied by the project and writes its result within the BOINC slot directory. It also states that the application does not open its own network connections, with communications handled by the BOINC client.[2]
If a private key is found, the project says that the result is encrypted immediately using RSA-4096 with OAEP padding. According to the project, only the encrypted result is stored by the server, while the corresponding decryption key is kept offline by the project operator.[2]
The project further states that it has no automated code path for transferring funds. Its published procedure is for a person to retrieve and decrypt the result offline, independently verify that the key corresponds to the target address, and then manually transfer any funds.[2]
BitBOINC describes a proposed distribution of recovered funds among platform operation, science projects, nature and environmental protection, and participating volunteers. The volunteer share is described as a weighted random drawing among recent contributors to the particular puzzle rather than as an equal payment to every participant.[2]
Community
BitBOINC provides project support through the Libera.Chat IRC network. Its listed channel is #bitboinc, and the project recommends the Rhizome client for users who do not already use an IRC client.[1]
The project also provides account registration, discussion forums, progress information, achievement badges, and user levels through its website.[1][4]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 BitBOINC. Athena. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 About BitBOINC. Athena. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
- ↑ (2026-09-28).Welcome. BitBOINC. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 (2026-09-29).BitBOINC is fully up and running. BitBOINC. Retrieved 2026-09-30.