Search4BTC: A Distributed Platform for Solving Bitcoin Puzzles
White Paper Published: July 1, 2025
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Bitcoin puzzles are cryptographic challenges within the Bitcoin ecosystem where participants seek the private key corresponding to a publicly known Bitcoin address that holds a prize in Bitcoin (BTC). The puzzles, and their prize rewards, were created by an anonymous source as "a crude measuring instrument, of the cracking strength of the community." These puzzles range in difficulty, with higher rewards tied to more complex challenges, often requiring substantial computational resources to solve.
Search4BTC is a free-to-use, web-based service that democratizes this process by allowing anyone with internet access to contribute their computing power to solve these puzzles. Users sign in with an XRP Ledger (XRPL) address and must establish a trust line to hold S4B, the utility token that enables Distributed Key Space Derivation (DKSD). By harnessing the collective processing power of its users, Search4BTC transforms underutilized browser resources into a lightweight, distributed solution for tackling Bitcoin puzzles, making participation accessible to all.
This white paper details the mechanics, security, economics, and future vision of Search4BTC, illustrating how it empowers a global community to collaboratively unlock Bitcoin rewards.
2. Overview of Search4BTC
Search4BTC enables users to join a distributed search team by contributing their browser's processing power to find private keys for Bitcoin puzzles. The service is designed to be simple, free, and efficient, leveraging idle computing resources to solve cryptographic challenges collectively.
Key Features
- Free Access: No cost or specialized hardware required—just a web browser and internet connection.
- Collaborative Search: Users form a global team, pooling efforts to solve puzzles faster than individual attempts.
- Dual Rewards: Participants earn S4B tokens for their efforts and share in Bitcoin prizes when puzzles are solved.
- Lightweight Design: Operates seamlessly within a browser, making use of underutilized processing power.
- Dashboard: Users monitor batches in progress, lifetime batch counts, S4B earned, burned S4B pending settlement, and XRP paid.
Search4BTC bridges the gap between complex cryptographic challenges and everyday users, fostering an inclusive and rewarding experience.
3. Technical Architecture
Search4BTC’s architecture is built for scalability, security, and ease of use, utilizing web technologies to distribute and process computational tasks.
User Interaction
- Sign In: Users visit the Search4BTC website and sign in with their XRP Ledger (XRPL) address, which acts as their unique identifier. A trust line to Search4BTC's issuer address is required to receive S4B token rewards.
- Batch Processing: The browser receives batches of unsearched private keys, processes them locally, and returns the completed batch to the server for a new one.
Batch Distribution
- Uniqueness: The server tracks the unsearched private key space, assigning each user a unique batch to ensure no overlap in efforts.
- Random Selection: Batches are randomly drawn from the remaining key space, maintaining an even distribution of work.
Private Key Search
- Local Execution: The user’s browser derives the public address from each private key in the batch and checks it against the target puzzle address, all performed locally for privacy and efficiency.
- Result Handling: If a match is found, the private key is submitted to the server; otherwise, the batch is marked complete, and a new batch is requested.
Prize Distribution
- Verification: When a matching private key is submitted, the Search4BTC administrator verifies it against the target address.
- Payout: Upon verification, the BTC prize is exchanged for XRP and deposited as Reserve XRP, available for redemption by holders of S4B.
- Reset: After a puzzle is solved, the system reconfigures to target the next puzzle, restarting the process.
Token System
- S4B Tokens: Users earn tokens for each batch processed, issued on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and sent to their XRPL address (the same address used for sign in).
- Incentive: Tokens provide immediate rewards, encouraging participation even before a puzzle is solved.
4. Security Considerations
Search4BTC prioritizes the security of its users and the integrity of its operations.
- Private Key Privacy: Keys are processed locally and only submitted if they match the target address, minimizing exposure.
- Minimal Data Collection: Only XRPL addresses are stored, protecting user anonymity.
- Search Integrity: Unique batch assignments and server tracking prevent duplication or manipulation of efforts.
- Transparent Verification: The administrator’s role in prize distribution is auditable, ensuring fairness.
5. Economic Model
Search4BTC balances sustainability with equitable rewards for its participants through a tokenomics system centered on the S4B utility token issued on the XRP Ledger (XRPL).
- S4B Representation: Each S4B represents a completed section of the target key space, quantified as a "batch." Users earn S4B for processing batches via Distributed Key Space Derivation (DKSD) in their browser.
- Batch → S4B Rate: The exchange rate is fixed at 1 batch = 0.000040 S4B. This rate ensures consistent rewards for computational contributions, regardless of the target key space breadth.
- S4B → XRP Redemption: S4B holders redeem tokens for XRP by sending (burning) S4B back to the issuer address on the XRPL. Settlements open within 24 hours of a target resolution, distributing reserve XRP proportionally to burned S4B.
- Determination of the XRP/S4B Redemption Exchange Rate: The redemption rate is calculated as Reserve XRP / (Total Awarded S4B - Total Settled S4B). Reserve XRP is funded by depositing solved puzzle prizes into the system. Total Awarded S4B is the cumulative tokens issued for completed batches. Total Settled S4B is the cumulative burned tokens redeemed for XRP.
- Influences on the Rate: The rate increases when reserve XRP grows (e.g., from new puzzle prizes) or settled S4B increases (more burns/redemptions, reducing the denominator). It decreases when awarded S4B grows without corresponding reserve increases or settlements.
- Funding and Sustainability: The service sustains itself by retaining a small percentage (10%) of BTC prizes as operational reserves and through community donations. S4B provides ongoing incentives and may evolve to include governance utilities.
6. Community and Governance
Search4BTC thrives on community engagement and plans to integrate governance features.
- Community Input: Users can propose puzzles or enhancements, fostering a collaborative environment.
- Future Governance: Token holders may gain voting rights to influence puzzle selection, reward policies, or platform upgrades, aligning Search4BTC with its users’ interests.
7. Roadmap
Search4BTC’s development will progress in stages:
- Phase 1: Launch: Target a prominent Bitcoin puzzle to prove the concept and build a user base.
- Phase 2: Multi-Puzzle Support: Allow simultaneous searches across multiple puzzles, giving users flexibility.
- Phase 3: Optimization: Enhance algorithms and UI for better performance and usability.
- Phase 4: Ecosystem Growth: Pursue partnerships and integrations to expand the platform’s reach and utility.
8. Conclusion
Search4BTC redefines how Bitcoin puzzles are solved by uniting a global community in a free, accessible, and collaborative effort. Through its innovative use of distributed computing, secure design, and dual-reward system, it offers a unique opportunity for anyone to participate in the cryptographic treasure hunt of Bitcoin puzzles, sharing both the challenge and the rewards.