BitCrumbs is a method created by Mason Liang for tracking the transfer of bitcoins between transactions stored on the public blockchain. It allows users like Coinbase to see the transaction history of bitcoins they process by representing the flow of coins through a graphical tool that tracks coin "height" and "shade" at each transaction output. The tool helps solve the challenge of following stolen or fraudulent bitcoins through the complex transaction history on the blockchain.

1. BitCrumbs
Mason Liang

2. • A method for transferring value over the internet
• Each transaction transfers bitcoins from inputs to outputs
• Transactions stored publicly on blockchain
Tx
Tx
Bitcoins

3. • How to track stolen bitcoins?
• Coinbase needs to know the history of the bitcoins they process
• This can be done with data on the blockchain, but it’s hard.
Tracking Bitcoins

4. Text-Based Tools

5. • Height -
number of
tracked coins
at an output
• Shade -
fraction of
coins in an
output which
are tracked
Tx
Tx
A Graphical Tool

6. • EE undergrad at Princeton
• Computational Biology Phd at Berkeley
• Go and pottery in my free time
About Me (Mason Liang)