Simple and Composite Proofs

The BSV Unified Merkle Path (BUMP) format changes the way composite proofs are constructed and interpreted within the BSV ecosystem. By enabling the consolidation of multiple transaction verifications into a singular, coherent format, BUMP significantly enhances data efficiency and minimizes redundancy across the network.

Efficiency Through Consolidation

In recognizing the commonality of hash node duplication across closely situated transactions within a block, BUMP introduces a methodical approach to composite proofs:

• Consolidated Layers: BUMP facilitates the inclusion of essential branches and leaves, streamlining the proof structure by integrating the base layer of a Merkle sub-tree with its connection to the block's overall Merkle root.

• Optimized Data Structure: Designed to normalize duplicate data, BUMP presents a compact and efficient solution for representing composite proofs, thereby reducing the overall data footprint.

Example of a BUMP Composite Proof in JSON Format

Here is a practical JSON encoding example demonstrating the BUMP format's approach to composite proofs:

{
  "blockHeight": 813706,
  "paths": [
    {
      "txId": "txid1",
      "merklePath": [
        {"offset": 0, "hash": "hash1", "flags": 2},
        {"offset": 1, "hash": "siblingHash1", "flags": 0},
        {"offset": 3, "hash": "parentHash1", "flags": 0}
      ]
    },
    {
      "txId": "txid2",
      "merklePath": [
        {"offset": 2, "hash": "hash2", "flags": 2},
        {"offset": 3, "hash": "parentHash1", "flags": 1} // Utilizing a duplicate hash
      ]
    }
  ]
}

This example illustrates how BUMP efficiently handles composite proofs, leveraging shared nodes to optimize data representation and minimize redundancy.

Handling Composite Proofs in BUMP

BUMP streamlines both the creation and validation processes for composite proofs:

• Simplified Validation: Despite the inherent complexity of composite proofs, BUMP's architectural design ensures ease of parsing and validation, accommodating the verification process's intricacies with structured simplicity.

• Adaptable to Common Use Cases: While designed to support complex composite proofs, BUMP maintains its utility and applicability for simpler, single-proof verifications, ensuring wide-ranging applicability within the BSV ecosystem.

Practical Implications

The methodical approach to composite proofs within the BUMP format offers several key advantages:

• Network Efficiency: The optimization of data representation contributes significantly to the overall efficiency of the BSV network, enabling quicker verification times and reduced bandwidth demands.

• Future-Proofing: BUMP's adaptable structure is poised to support ongoing advancements in blockchain technology and proof consolidation, ensuring its continued relevance and utility.