On Using Agent-based Modeling and Simulation for Studying Blockchain Systems

TL;DR

This paper advocates for an agent-based modeling and simulation framework tailored for blockchain systems, emphasizing modern engineering practices to enable rapid prototyping and realistic feasibility analysis of complex industrial scenarios.

Contribution

It introduces a modular, agile simulation framework designed specifically for blockchain systems, facilitating hypothesis testing and large-scale experiments.

Findings

Supports rapid prototyping of blockchain scenarios

Enables realistic feasibility analysis of complex systems

Promotes modular and reusable simulation models

Abstract

There is a need for a simulation framework, which is develop as a software using modern engineering approaches (e.g., modularity --i.e., model reuse--, testing, continuous development and continuous integration, automated management of builds, dependencies and documentation) and agile principles, (1) to make rapid prototyping of industrial cases and (2) to carry out their feasibility analysis in a realistic manner (i.e., to test hypothesis by simulating complex experiments involving large numbers of participants of different types acting in one or several blockchain systems).