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Abstract

Blockchain (the decentralised ledger that supports Bitcoin) is generated huge interest within the finance industries, as technologies such as smart contracts offer the promise of greatly reduced transaction costs. Most recently, attention has begun to focus on physical Bitcoin computers that participate in block chain hashing and can accept and make machine-to-machine payments using Bitcoin autonomously. Such devices enable physical connected IoT devices to act as independent financial entities; providing data or service in return for payment and making payments of their own. This project will explore this emerging area at two scales: (i) implementing a sensor that makes physical measurements in return for Bitcoin payments, and/or (ii) implementing smart Bitcoin cash, which unlike a Bitcoin wallet, doesn’t hold your Bitcoin, but is the Bitcoin (i.e. it has its own Bitcoin address and private key). These implementations will likely make use of computing resources similar to Raspberry Pi, and if possible, deploy smart Bitcoin cash on low-power microcontrollers.

Prerequisites: Computer Security.