A multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method

Abstract

The application discloses a multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method, which comprises the following steps: analyzing chain transaction characteristics, using a heuristic transaction analysis method on a first chain to cluster cryptocurrency addresses controlled by a virtual asset service provider, and obtaining address clusters of the virtual asset service provider on the first chain; selecting a second chain, calculating address conversion mapping relationship of the two chains according to address algorithms of the two chains; calculating the address clusters mapped from the second chain and performing screening; using the effective sub-address cluster as the basis, using a heuristic transaction analysis to cluster cryptocurrency addresses on the second chain, and obtaining address clusters of the virtual asset service provider on the second chain; and repeating the above operation to obtain address clusters of the virtual asset service provider on all chains. The application can fully utilize the address mapping relationship between multiple blockchains, and simultaneously realize efficient and accurate address clustering of multiple chains.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of digital currency and blockchain, in particular to a multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method based on heuristic transaction analysis and blockchain address algorithm. BACKGROUND

[0002] There are currently a large number of active public blockchains, each of which corresponds to a native digital currency. However, compared with traditional payment methods, these digital currencies based on blockchain technology have significant anonymity. This feature makes it difficult for relevant departments to identify the real entities hidden behind the on-chain addresses, seriously hindering the functions of supervision and crime fighting of relevant departments.

[0003] With the industrialization of digital currencies, virtual asset service providers have gradually occupied an important position in the digital currency ecosystem. Virtual asset service providers are the center of digital currency circulation on the blockchain, similar to traditional financial institutions. In general, virtual asset service providers will provide services on multiple blockchains.

[0004] Since virtual asset service providers usually need to be registered as money service businesses and therefore bear the obligation of anti-money laundering, such obligations include developing, implementing and maintaining an effective anti-money laundering program, reporting suspicious activities, reporting currency transactions and retaining transaction records; therefore, virtual asset service providers can provide information such as IP, contact information, identity information of users associated with illegal activities on the chain, making it possible to de-anonymize digital currency financial crimes.

[0005] However, the existing address clustering scheme is limited to transactions on a single blockchain, and there is a lack of address clustering schemes from the perspective of multiple blockchains. Moreover, existing address clustering schemes mainly focus on normal transaction scenarios, and there are almost no address clustering methods for virtual asset service providers.

[0006] Therefore, how to obtain the address cluster of virtual asset service providers on multiple blockchains, so as to provide effective clues for the supervision and law enforcement of relevant departments, is a technical problem that needs to be solved by the present application. SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the shortcomings of the existing address clustering scheme, the present application provides a multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method, and the specific technical scheme is as follows:

[0008] A multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method, the method comprising the following steps:

[0009] Step one: using a heuristic transaction analysis method on the first blockchain to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the virtual asset service provider by analyzing the characteristics of on-chain transactions, obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain;

[0010] Step two: selecting a second blockchain, and according to the address algorithm of the two blockchains, obtaining the address conversion mapping relationship between the first blockchain and the second blockchain;

[0011] The second blockchain satisfies the following conditions:

[0012] (1) consistent with the asymmetric encryption algorithm used by the first blockchain;

[0013] (2) it is feasible to construct a one-to-one relationship from the address space of the first blockchain to the address space of the second blockchain;

[0014] Step three: according to the address conversion mapping relationship between the first blockchain and the second blockchain, calculating the address cluster on the second blockchain mapped from the cryptocurrency address cluster on the first blockchain, and screening the effective sub-address cluster according to the historical transactions;

[0015] Step four: on the second blockchain, using heuristic transaction analysis to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the virtual asset service provider based on the effective sub-address cluster, obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the second blockchain;

[0016] Step five: repeat steps one to four until the size of the address cluster on different blockchains no longer increases, thereby obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on all blockchains.

[0017] Further, the step one specifically includes the following sub-steps:

[0018] (1.1) selecting a virtual asset service provider; obtaining the core address of the virtual asset service provider, or obtaining the address used by the user and the sample transaction corresponding to the address, and obtaining the core address of the virtual asset service provider;

[0019] (1.2) using a heuristic transaction analysis method, based on the core address of the virtual asset service provider, using the inherent structural characteristics of the virtual asset service provider and user transactions to identify the address of the virtual asset service provider, and obtaining the address related to the virtual asset service provider;

[0020] (1.3) Repeat steps (1.1)-(1.2) until there is no new address added, to obtain all relevant addresses of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain, that is, the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain.

[0021] Further, the step three includes the following sub-steps:

[0022] (3.1) Apply the address conversion mapping relationship of the first blockchain and the second blockchain to the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain, to obtain a new address cluster of the same size;

[0023] (3.2) Screen the addresses in the new address cluster, that is, if the transaction history of an address does not exist, or the transaction history of the address does not contain a real and valid cash-out transaction, the address is removed from the new address cluster, to obtain an effective sub-address cluster with a size not greater than the original size.

[0024] Further, the specific operation of using heuristic transaction analysis to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the virtual asset service provider in step four is the same as steps (1.1)-(1.3).

[0025] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows:

[0026] The cryptocurrency address clustering method of the present application can fully utilize the mapping relationship between each blockchain to achieve clustering of multiple blockchains based on only obtaining the information of the virtual asset service provider of one chain. The present application provides an efficient and accurate solution for clustering in the scenario of a virtual asset service provider. At the same time, the present application realizes the extension application of limited single-chain information on multiple blockchains: on the one hand, the present application can save the cost of collecting information and simplify the process of collecting information. On the other hand, the present application breaks through the limitations of single-chain clustering methods and can utilize additional information that cannot be discovered based on a single blockchain for clustering to obtain a more complete clustering result. The present application is not mutually exclusive with existing single-chain clustering methods, and can either directly use the solution provided by the present application for clustering or use the results of existing single-chain clustering methods as input for clustering. Researchers can use the present application to gain a deeper understanding of the business model and organizational form of virtual asset service providers; at the same time, relevant departments can use the present application to obtain effective clues to realize the de-anonymization of digital currency financial crimes to meet the needs of supervision and law enforcement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 The flowchart of the cryptocurrency address clustering method of the embodiments of the present application.

[0028] Figure 2To construct a flowchart of chain mapping relationship. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, the purposes and effects of which will become more apparent, and it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and do not limit the present application.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1 The multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method of the embodiment of the present application comprises the following steps:

[0031] Step one: through the analysis of on-chain transaction characteristics, using a heuristic transaction analysis method on the first blockchain to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the virtual asset service provider, obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain.

[0032] As one of the implementation manners, step one is divided into the following sub-steps:

[0033] (1.1) Select a virtual asset service provider;

[0034] (1.2) Obtain the core address of a virtual asset service provider; or, obtain the address indicated by the virtual asset service provider for the user to use and the sample transaction corresponding to the address, and then perform heuristic analysis on the sample transaction to obtain the core address of the virtual asset service provider.

[0035] The sample transaction should be real and valid, and the transaction counterparty is the designated virtual asset service provider. Its acquisition method is arbitrary, including but not limited to crawler, interaction with the service, analysis of the application programming interface provided by the virtual asset service provider, etc.

[0036] (1.3) Using the heuristic transaction analysis method, based on the core address obtained in step (1.2), using the inherent structural characteristics of the virtual asset service provider and user transactions to identify the address of the virtual asset service provider, and obtain the address related to the virtual asset service provider; a simple and easy way is to check the transaction counterparty address of the incoming transaction of the core address of the virtual asset service provider, if the transaction counterparty address is only used for transit, then the transaction counterparty address belongs to the address indicated by the virtual asset service provider for the user to use. Or, by analyzing the transaction history of the transaction counterparty address, the asset status is determined to be the core address of the virtual asset service provider.

[0037] (1.4) Repeat (1.2) and (1.3) until there is no new address added, obtaining all relevant addresses of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain, i.e. the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain.

[0038] Step two: select the second blockchain, and according to the address algorithm of the two blockchains, obtain the address conversion mapping relationship between the first blockchain and the second blockchain. Specifically as shown in Figure 2

[0039] As one of the embodiments, step two is divided into the following sub-steps:

[0040] (2.1) Select the second blockchain, which should have the following properties:

[0041] ① consistent with the asymmetric encryption algorithm used by the first blockchain;

[0042] ② it is feasible to construct a monomorphism from the address space of the first blockchain to the address space of the second blockchain.

[0043] (2.2) Based on the address algorithm of the first blockchain and the second blockchain, derive the address conversion mapping relationship from the first blockchain to the second blockchain.

[0044] Step three: according to the address conversion mapping relationship of the first blockchain and the second blockchain, calculate the address cluster on the second blockchain mapped by the cryptocurrency address cluster on the first blockchain, and filter the effective sub-address cluster according to the historical transactions.

[0045] As one of the embodiments, step three is divided into the following sub-steps:

[0046] (3.1) Apply the address conversion mapping relationship of the first blockchain and the second blockchain to the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain, obtaining a new address cluster of the same size;

[0047] (3.2) Filter the addresses in the new address cluster, i.e. if the transaction history of an address does not exist, or the transaction history of the address does not contain real and valid gold withdrawal transactions, remove the address from the new address cluster, obtaining an effective sub-address cluster with a size not greater than the original size.

[0048] Obviously, any address in the effective sub-address cluster meets the conditions of the relevant addresses of the virtual asset service provider selected in step one.

[0049] ​Step four: on the second blockchain, using the heuristic transaction analysis to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the virtual asset service provider based on the valid sub-address cluster, obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the second blockchain;

[0050] Step four also uses steps (1.2)-(1.4) to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses, obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on all blockchains.

[0051] If the address space of the first blockchain and the address space of the second blockchain have the same dimension, the mapping relationship from the address space of the first blockchain to the address space of the second blockchain is bijective. At this time, due to the bijection, a monomorphism from the address space of the second blockchain to the address space of the first blockchain can be constructed. The first blockchain and the second blockchain can be exchanged, and steps one to four can be repeated to obtain more related addresses of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain and the second blockchain, respectively.

[0052] Taking a real analysis process as an example, selecting the virtual currency service provider exchange Gate.io, and the Ethereum chain and the BSC chain. When the Ethereum chain is the first chain, the BSC chain satisfies the properties described in step two.

[0053] By depositing a digital currency on the Ethereum chain to Gate.io, an address 0xe755 indicated by Gate.io for the user to use and a sample transaction corresponding to the address are obtained. Using heuristic transaction analysis, the core address 0x0d07 of Gate.io is obtained. By performing heuristic clustering on 0x0d07 and taking the clustering result as input, the above process is repeated until no more addresses are found. At this time, the address cluster A of Gate.io on the Ethereum chain is obtained.

[0054] According to the address algorithm of the Ethereum chain and the BSC chain, the chain mapping relationship is constructed to obtain the image B of the address cluster A of the Ethereum chain on the BSC chain. According to the sub-step two of step three, B is screened to obtain the valid sub-address cluster B' of B. Among them, the image of the core address 0x2b in A in B' is TBA6Cy.

[0055] Since each address in B' can be used as an address of Gate.io on the BSC chain for heuristic clustering. Repeat step one to obtain the address cluster B" of Gate.io on the BSC chain. At this time, the address cluster of Gate.io on the Ethereum chain and the BSC chain is obtained.

[0056] Further, since the mapping relationship between the Ethereum chain and the Wave Field chain is bijective, the two chains can be exchanged, and step three is performed. At this time, the address set cluster B" of the Wave Field chain on the Ethereum chain is obtained as C, and C' is obtained by screening. Obviously, C' intersects with A but does not coincide with A. Since each address in C' can be used as the address of Gate.io on the Ethereum chain for heuristic clustering, step one is repeated to obtain the address set cluster C" of Gate.io on the Ethereum chain. Thus, the address set cluster of Gate.io on the Ethereum chain is updated to the union of A and C". The process can be repeated until the size of the address set cluster of Gate.io on the Ethereum chain and the Wave Field chain no longer increases.

[0057] Those skilled in the art can understand that the above description is only preferred examples of the application and is not used to limit the application. Although the application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing examples, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing examples or make equivalent replacements for part of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the application shall be included in the protection scope of the application.

Claims

1. A multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: Step one: using a heuristic transaction analysis method on the first blockchain to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the virtual asset service provider by analyzing the characteristics of on-chain transactions, obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain; Step two: selecting a second blockchain, and according to the address algorithm of the two blockchains, obtaining the address conversion mapping relationship between the first blockchain and the second blockchain; The second blockchain satisfies the following conditions: (1) The asymmetric encryption algorithm used by the first blockchain is consistent with that used by the second blockchain; (2) It is feasible to construct a one-to-one relationship from the address space of the first blockchain to the address space of the second blockchain; Step three: according to the address conversion mapping relationship between the first blockchain and the second blockchain, calculating the address cluster on the second blockchain that is mapped from the cryptocurrency address cluster on the first blockchain, and screening the effective sub-address cluster according to the historical transactions; Step four: on the second blockchain, using heuristic transaction analysis to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the virtual asset service provider based on the effective sub-address cluster, obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the second blockchain; Step five: repeat steps one to four until the size of the address cluster on different blockchains no longer increases, thereby obtaining the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on all blockchains.

2. The multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method of claim 1, wherein, The step one specifically comprises the following sub-steps: (1.1) Select a virtual asset service provider; obtain the core address of the virtual asset service provider, or obtain the address used by the user and the sample transaction corresponding to the address, and obtain the core address of the virtual asset service provider; (1.2) Using a heuristic transaction analysis method, based on the core address of the virtual asset service provider, using the inherent structural features of the transactions between the virtual asset service provider and the user to identify the addresses related to the virtual asset service provider, and obtaining the addresses related to the virtual asset service provider; (1.3) Repeat steps (1.1) to (1.2) until no new address is added, and obtain all related addresses of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain, i.e. the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain. 3.The multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method of claim 1, wherein, The step three comprises the following sub-steps: (3.1) Apply the address conversion mapping relationship between the first blockchain and the second blockchain to the address cluster of the virtual asset service provider on the first blockchain to obtain a new address cluster of the same size; (3.2) Screen the addresses in the new address cluster, i.e. if the transaction history of an address does not exist, or the transaction history of the address does not contain real and valid withdrawal transactions, remove the address from the new address cluster to obtain an effective sub-address cluster with a size not greater than the original size.

4. The multi-blockchain virtual asset service provider cryptocurrency address clustering method of claim 2, wherein, The specific operation of using heuristic transaction analysis to cluster the cryptocurrency addresses controlled by the virtual asset service provider in step four is the same as steps (1.1) to (1.3).

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