CryptoChain

CryptoChain is a full-stack web application that demonstrates a decentralized blockchain network involving the "CryptoChain" cryptocurrency for transactions.

Libraries Used

• Frontend: React
• Backend: Express
• Runtime Environment: Node

Dependencies

These dependencies are required to run this project on a localhost environment:

• Node.js
• Redis

Instructions

1. Clone the repository.
2. Install the required modules by running npm install in the project directory.
3. Start the project on the root node with npm run start (PORT:3000).
4. To start different peers/nodes in the network, use npm run start-peer in the terminal. The server will start on a random PORT, noted as listening on PORT:3XXX.

Roadmap & Issues

• Implement authentication for accessing the front-end (signup/login portal). Successful sign-ups reward users with CryptoChain coins to maintain currency flow.
• Decentralize the network by enabling nodes to sync with each other, not solely with the root node.
• Enable blockchain backups by allowing download to the file system (e.g., JSON format) to prevent blockchain loss if all nodes go down.
• Address issues related to a 51% attack and the generation of orphaned blocks.
• Replace transaction pool polling with real-time updates using socket.io to prevent server overload.
• Utilize Redux for handling various front-end issues.
• Implement a solution to prevent tracking public key usage throughout transactions for enhanced security.
• Enhance the proof-of-work algorithm by increasing the MINING_RATE and display real-time feedback on the frontend.
• Scale redis server connections by implementing a cluster of redis URLs to handle increasing connections.