Process

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The Role of DEX Aggregators and Routers in Decentralized Trading

ByEric Ma

In the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, decentralized exchanges (DEXs) enable users to trade cryptocurrencies without intermediaries. However, with the growing number of DEXs offering varying levels of liquidity, fees, and trading pairs, navigating this landscape efficiently can be challenging. DEX aggregators and routers are tools designed to optimize trading, but they serve different purposes. This…

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Understanding Temporary Forks and Reorganization in Blockchain

ByEric Ma

Temporary forks and chain reorganizations (reorgs) are natural occurrences in decentralized blockchain systems. They arise due to the asynchronous nature of block propagation across the network. While temporary forks are short-lived and resolved quickly, chain reorganization refers to the process by which the blockchain discards one branch in favor of a longer or higher-priority chain….

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Understanding TPM 2.0 and Platform Configuration Registers (PCRs)

ByEric Ma

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 is a hardware-based security feature designed to enhance the integrity and security of computing systems. It is an international standard defined by the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) and is implemented as a dedicated chip or firmware module on a computer’s motherboard. The TPM provides cryptographic functions, secure storage, and…

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Proving Ownership of BTC Multisig Addresses

ByEric Ma

Proving ownership of a Bitcoin (BTC) address is a crucial aspect in various scenarios. The post Proof of Ownership for BTC Addresses introduced the proof for non-multisig addresses. This guide explores how to prove ownership for different multisig BTC address types, including algorithm specifications and step-by-step methods. What is a Multisig Address? A Bitcoin multisig…

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Proof of Ownership for BTC Addresses: A Detailed Guide

ByEric Ma

Proving ownership of a Bitcoin (BTC) address is a crucial aspect in various scenarios, such as verifying identity in a transaction or demonstrating holdings without revealing private keys. This guide explores how to prove ownership for different BTC address types, including algorithm specifications and step-by-step methods. BTC Address Types P2PKH (Pay-to-Public-Key-Hash) P2SH (Pay-to-Script-Hash) P2WPKH (Pay-to-Witness-Public-Key-Hash)…

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A Comprehensive Guide to PGP: Technical Deep Dive

ByEric Ma

Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) is a robust encryption program that ensures privacy and authentication for data communication. Developed by Phil Zimmermann in 1991, it’s widely used for securing emails, files, and directories. This article explores the technical details of PGP, including its algorithms, key management, and detailed processes for encryption, decryption, and signing. Cryptographic Foundations…

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Understanding Cloud Storage Consistency Models

ByEric Ma

Cloud storage systems utilize various consistency models to balance performance, availability, and data accuracy. This article explores these models, their trade-offs, and examples of systems using them. We’ll also discuss the CAP theorem and its implications. Consistency Models Strong Consistency Definition: Guarantees that any read operation returns the most recent write for a given piece…

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Comparing Paxos and Raft

ByEric Ma

Paxos and Raft are both consensus algorithms used to ensure consistency in distributed systems. While they solve similar problems, they have different approaches and design philosophies. Characteristics Paxos Roles: Proposers, Acceptors, Learners. Phases: Two main phases (Prepare/Promise and Propose/Accept). Leader Election: Not explicitly defined, often implemented using Multi-Paxos to handle multiple proposals efficiently. Use Cases:…

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Understanding the Paxos Consensus Algorithm

ByEric Ma

The Paxos consensus algorithm is a fundamental concept in distributed computing that ensures a group of distributed systems can agree on a single value, even in the presence of failures. Developed by Leslie Lamport, Paxos is widely used in systems where consistency and fault tolerance are critical, such as databases and distributed ledgers. Consensus Problem…

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Extracting EC Public Keys with OpenSSL

ByEric Ma

In the realm of cryptography, handling and managing keys is a crucial task. The command provided is a series of operations using OpenSSL and other command-line utilities to extract and format an elliptic curve (EC) public key. Let’s break down the command to understand its purpose and functionality. The Command Extracting EC Public Keys with…

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Mapping Left Alt to Ctrl for Windows Keyboard to Be Similar to macOS

ByEric Ma

As a dedicated macOS user, I often find myself missing the convenience of having a Command key located near my thumb for common shortcuts when using Windows. In the standard Windows keyboard layout, the key that occupies the same position as the Command key on macOS is the Alt key. However, the equivalent key on…

Sybil Attack 101

ByEthan Ainsworth

Distributed systems, such as peer-to-peer networks, , and other decentralized platforms, have become increasingly popular due to their potential to offer more robust, scalable, and secure solutions. However, these systems face unique challenges and vulnerabilities, one of which is the Sybil attack. Named after the psychiatric case study “Sybil,” in which a person exhibits multiple…

Consensus Algorithm 101

ByEthan Ainsworth

Consensus algorithms play a crucial role in the functioning of decentralized networks, such as blockchain-based systems. They help maintain the integrity, security, and reliability of these networks by ensuring that all participants agree on the state of the system. In this post, we will explore the concept of consensus algorithms, their importance, and some of…

Double-Spending 101

ByEthan Ainsworth

Double-spending is a critical issue that any digital currency must address to ensure its viability and security. In this post, we’ll explore the concept of double-spending, the problems it poses, and how blockchain technology overcomes these challenges. What is Double-Spending? Double-spending occurs when a user spends the same digital currency unit more than once. In…

51% Attack 101

ByEthan Ainsworth

One of the most significant threats to public blockchain networks is a 51% attack, where a single entity gains control over the majority of the network’s mining power. In this blog post, we will discuss the concept of a 51% attack, its potential consequences, and measures to prevent it. What is a 51% Attack? A…

Proof of Work (PoW) 101

ByEthan Ainsworth

Blockchain technology is based on the idea of decentralization, transparency, and security. One of the key challenges in blockchain technology is reaching consensus on the state of the ledger. Consensus mechanisms ensure that all nodes in the network agree on the current state of the blockchain. Proof of Work (PoW) is a consensus mechanism that…

Proof of Stake (PoS) 101

ByEthan Ainsworth

Blockchain technology is based on the idea of decentralization, transparency, and security. One of the key challenges in blockchain technology is reaching consensus on the state of the ledger. Consensus mechanisms ensure that all nodes in the network agree on the current state of the blockchain. Proof of Stake (PoS) is a consensus mechanism that…

Uniswap 101

ByEthan Ainsworth

Uniswap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) that was launched in 2018. It is built on the . Uniswap is a fully decentralized platform, which means that it is not controlled by any central authority or organization. The key feature of Uniswap is its , which allow users to trade cryptocurrencies without the need for a…

Decentralization 101

ByEthan Ainsworth

Decentralization is a concept about control and management. It refers to that the control and decision-making in a distributed network are transferred away from a centralized entity (individual, organization, or group thereof). The resources in a decentralized network are owned and shared by network members. This concept is particularly significant in the world of blockchain…

Bitcoin 101

ByDavid Yang

Bitcoin is the world’s first cryptocurrency on the Bitcoin blockchain network. BTC has gained significant popularity since its inception in 2009. It functions as a decentralized, peer-to-peer electronic cash system, allowing users to make transactions without the need for a central authority. Bitcoin History Bitcoin’s story begins with the release of a whitepaper by an…