Computer-implemented system and method suitable for increasing the security of instant off-line blockchain transactions

Abstract

This specification describes a system and method that enables bitcoin signed transactions to be accepted as a payment for goods and services instantly and off-line, without the need to wait for confirmation that the transaction is included in a valid block, or even for confirmation that a transaction has been received by the network. Building on the concept of a one-time signature implemented within bitcoin script, this method involves a payer providing the payee with a special compensation key at the point-of-sale which can be used to claim a time-locked deposit output when combined with a 'revealed' private key, if (and only if) a double-spend is perpetrated by the payee. The validity of this compensation key is guaranteed via a novel type of zero-knowledge-proof, which is highly efficient: the proof can be generated in ˜5 milliseconds and can be verified in −30 milliseconds. The use of this system in a retail setting would allow vendors to accept instant cryptocurrency payments off-line for high value items without aggregated risk of loss, and without the need to trust a third party service.