Permissionless blockchain systems as pseudo-random number generators for decentralized consensus
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Date
2023
Authors
Bezuidenhout, Riaan
Nel, Wynand
Maritz, Jacques M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IEEE
Abstract
Consensus algorithms that function in permissionless blockchain systems must randomly select new block proposers in a decentralised environment. Our contribution is a new blockchain consensus algorithm called Proof-of-Publicly Verifiable Randomness (PoPVR). It may be used in blockchain design to make permissionless blockchain systems function as pseudo-random number generators and to use the results for decentralised consensus. The method employs verifiable random functions to embed pseudo-random number seeds in the blockchain that are confidential, tamper-resistant, unpredictable, collision-resistant, and publicly verifiable. PoPVR does not require large-scale computation, as is the case with Proof-of-Work and is not vulnerable to the exclusion of less wealthy stakeholders from the consensus process inherent in stake-based alternatives. It aims to promote fairness of participation in the consensus process by all participants and functions transparently using only open-source algorithms. PoPVR may also be useful in blockchain systems where asset values cannot be directly compared, for example, logistical systems, intellectual property records and the direct trading of commodities and services. PoPVR scales well with complexity linear in the number of transactions per block.
Description
Keywords
Consensus algorithm, Decentralised consensus, Permissionless blockchain systems, Proof-based consensus algorithms, Proof-of-publicly verifiable randomness, Pseudo-random number generation, Random number seeds, Verifiable random functions, Vote-based consensus algorithms
Citation
Bezuidenhout, R., Nel, W., & Maritz, J. M. (2023). Permissionless blockchain systems as pseudo-random number generators for decentralized consensus. IEEE Access, 11, 14587-14611. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2023.3244403