iblock: Accurate and Scalable Bitcoin Simulations with OMNeT++

TL;DR

iblock is a C++ library for Bitcoin simulation in OMNeT++ that offers high efficiency and scalability, enabling detailed and validated blockchain scenario analysis.

Contribution

The paper introduces iblock, a novel, efficient, and scalable C++ library for Bitcoin simulation integrated with OMNeT++, surpassing existing high-level language simulators.

Findings

iblock outperforms state-of-the-art blockchain simulators in efficiency

iblock provides detailed and coherent Bitcoin scenario simulations

validated iblock's accuracy through various Bitcoin operation scenarios

Abstract

This paper proposes iblock, a comprehensive C++ library for Bitcoin simulation, designed for OMNeT++. iblock offers superior efficiency and scalability with respect to state-of-the-art simulators, which are typically written in high-level languages. Moreover, the possible integration with other OMNeT++ libraries allows highly detailed simulations. We measure iblock's performance against a state-of-the-art blockchain simulator, proving that it is more efficient at the same level of simulation detail. We also validate iblock by using it to simulate different scenarios such as the normal Bitcoin operation and the selfish mine attack, showing that simulation results are coherent with theoretical expectations.