Last Mile of Blockchains: Accessibility, RPC and Node-as-a-service

Speaker: Zhongtang Luo. Zhongtang is a PhD student at Purdue University, being advised by Aniket Kate.

Title: Last Mile of Blockchains: Accessibility, RPC and Node-as-a-service

Abstract: While much research focuses on different methods to secure blockchain, information on the chain needs to be accessed by end-users to be useful. This position paper surveys different ways that end-users may access blockchains. We observe that between the two extremes of running a full node and fully utilizing a trusted third-party service, many solutions regarding light nodes are emerging. We analyze these solutions based on three basic properties of web communication: integrity, availability and privacy. We conclude that currently, the best way to access a blockchain while maintaining these three properties is still to run a full node. We consider it essential that future blockchain accessibility services should be built while considering these three expectations.

Location: LWSN 1106 and Zoom (https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/91817312903?pwd=NFNKeHoyZlV2aVp3ZUdwRzRHR3Fhdz09)