Discovering the P2P Network Layer Topology of Bitcoin Nodes

Abstract

The investigation of Bitcoin network topology has garnered significant academic attention due to its potential to enhance blockchain system performance and strengthen network robustness. However, current Bitcoin P2P network topology reconstruction mechanisms face four critical limitations: inefficient topology recovery, reliance on obsolete protocols, poor compatibility with new protocol versions, and disruptive impacts on network operations. To address these challenges, we initiate our study from Bitcoin's network formation mechanisms. Through longitudinal analysis of client version control histories, we systematically trace the architectural evolution of its P2P network and perform the first protocol-level reverse engineering with the node discovery mechanism. Building on these insights, we propose a novel graph-theoretic analytical framework that introduces fresh perspectives for blockchain topology analysis. Our experimental validation on the live Bitcoin network identified 8,106 active nodes with 1.8 million connection edges, demonstrating a 38% improvement in node discovery efficiency over existing approaches. Comparative analysis further quantified the operational intrusiveness of mainstream connection restoration methods, confirming our method's capability to achieve complete topology reconstruction under non-intrusive conditions. These findings substantially expand the research horizons for blockchain network analysis by establishing an extended foundational network scope and delivering comprehensive topological datasets, providing critical infrastructure insights for future blockchain architecture research.