Search4BTC

How It Works

Search4BTC operates as a decentralized computational framework leveraging browser-based distributed computing to perform exhaustive searches within the elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA) secp256k1 keyspace for Bitcoin addresses harboring dormant balances, commonly referred to as "Bitcoin puzzles." These puzzles entail the recovery of private keys corresponding to public keys derived via the secp256k1 curve, where the private key k satisfies the equation G * k = P, with G as the generator point and P as the public key point, ultimately hashing to a target Bitcoin address with an unspent transaction output (UTXO). The computational infeasibility of discrete logarithm problem (DLP) resolution in secp256k1 underscores the necessity for massively parallel brute-force enumeration. Search4BTC facilitates this through Distributed Key Space Derivation (DKSD).

The platform aggregates heterogeneous computational resources from participants' web browsers to partition and explore the target's possible private keys, employing a coordinated brute-force strategy to identify collisions with predefined target addresses. Rewards are allocated via a proportional share mechanism grounded in proof-of-computation, where contributions are quantified by the volume of keyspace traversed. Upon target resolution, the reclaimed BTC is converted to XRP reserves on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), funding a redemption pool for the platform's utility token, S4B (Figure 1), which serves as a claim on the proportional distribution of solved prizes net of operational retentions.

Step 1: Authentication and Initialization

Participants authenticate via an XRP Ledger (XRPL) address, which functions as a unique identifier and settlement endpoint within the XRPL's consensus-driven, permissionless network. For users without an existing XRPL account, activation requires funding with a minimum network reserve to cover anti-spam measures and ledger storage. Subsequently, users establish a trust line to Search4BTC's issuer address with a sufficient limit to accommodate token receipts. This trust line enables holding of the S4B utility token that powers Distributed Key Space Derivation (DKSD).

The dashboard interfaces with the XRPL Mainnet to retrieve historical payments of S4B tokens and computing cumulative contributions. Metrics include lifetime batch completions (proxies for computational work), pending redemptions, and settled XRP disbursements, all synchronized via real-time ledger subscriptions for atomicity and finality in under 4 seconds per ledger close.

Step 2: Distributed Key Space Derivation (DKSD)

Distributed Key Space Derivation (DKSD) is the core mechanism enabling Search4BTC's decentralized brute-force search (Figure 2). It partitions the target's secp256k1 keyspace into manageable, non-overlapping batches distributed across participants' browsers. This ensures efficient, collaborative exploration without duplication of effort, coordinated by a central server to assign unique ranges focused on Bitcoin puzzle subsets (e.g., keys with reduced bit lengths for higher solvability odds).

Upon initialization, the client's browser requests and receives a batch assignment, typically comprising a starting private key offset and a fixed range size (e.g., 1 million keys per batch for balanced load). The computation occurs entirely client-side using JavaScript to maximize performance on heterogeneous hardware.

Private keys are iteratively generated within the assigned range. For each candidate private key k (a 256-bit integer starting from the offset and incrementing by 1):

• Derive the public key point P via scalar multiplication: P = k * G, where G is the secp256k1 generator point.
• Compress the public key by taking the x-coordinate (32 bytes) and prefixing it with 0x02 (if y is even) or 0x03 (if y is odd), resulting in a 33-byte compressed format.
• Hash the compressed public key: Apply SHA-256, followed by RIPEMD-160, to produce a 20-byte (160-bit) pubkeyhash.
• Form the Bitcoin address: Prepend the version byte (0x00 for Bitcoin mainnet), append a 4-byte checksum (first 4 bytes of double SHA-256 on the version + pubkeyhash), and encode the result in Base58Check format.
• Verify the generated address against the target address. If a match is found, the private key is the solution (encrypted and reported securely for verification by Search4BTC).

If no match is found after exhausting the batch, the client reports completion to the server (including a proof-of-work summary), accrues rewards, and requests a new batch. This cycle continues indefinitely, scaling with participant count to accelerate keyspace traversal.

Step 3: Tokenomics and Reward Settlement

Each completed batch accrues 0.000040 S4B tokens, paid as IOUs on XRPL from Search4BTC's operational address and delivered via Payment transactions to the user's address. S4B embodies a fungible claim on the platform's redemption reserves. Token reward is directly proportional to computational contribution. Redemption involves burning S4B by sending S4B back to the issuer, effectively removing from circulation and entitling the holder to a pro-rata share of XRP reserves.

Settlements occur post-target resolution, drawing from XRP reserves funded by liquidated BTC prizes (post 10% operational deduction for sustainability). Distribution follows a proportional allocation: User Share = (User S4B Burned / Total S4B Burned) * Available XRP Reserve, executed as batched Payments with Paths for liquidity if needed. Exchange rates are computed as XRP Reserves / (Total Awarded S4B - Settled S4B), ensuring fair value capture of contributed compute.

When one target is resolved, the platform transitions to the next target, shifting the key space search while preserving historical contributions via persistent XRPL ledger state. Search4BTC thus instantiates a novel incentive-aligned model for distributed cryptanalytic computation, integrating XRPL's high-throughput settlement (1500 TPS) with Bitcoin's store-of-value to democratize access to otherwise intractable brute-force endeavors.