Introduction

DigiByte is a truly decentralized UTXO blockchain that was fairly launched on January 10, 2014. DigiByte is also truly permissionless, since there is no central controlling authority. Accordingly, this Community Infopaper is written without requiring authorization from any single individual.

The DigiByte blockchain is an immutable ledger, a chain of blocks all with verifiable digital signatures since its creation in 2014 and backed by billions of dollars of cryptographic computation. Its blockchain is also fully open-source, released under the MIT license, and completely verifiable by any individual or entity. DigiByte embraces the Bitcoin core ethos of “Do not trust, verify”, in that no entity should ever need be “trusted” in order to send/receive DigiByte (DGB) or to store/retrieve data from the DigiByte blockchain.

DigiByte originally utilized the Litecoin code-base, with a completely independent blockchain and a unique Genesis Block. It has undergone several non-contentious soft-forks and hard-forks, none of which culminated in a chain-split, but rather a complete consensus resulting in seamless upgrades of the entire DigiByte network.

DigiByte never held an ICO, but was fairly launched in an open and transparently planned manner. DigiByte does not take a percentage of block-rewards for a founders fee. The minimal 0.5% pre-mine was given away in its entirety to community members in the first month of its existence in order to incentivize early client downloads, ensure the survival of the blockchain, and to develop the original Android/iOS applications.

DigiByte focuses on speed, security, and scalability. It prides itself with being “faster, more secure, forward thinking”. With significantly faster block timings than any other UTXO blockchain to date (15 seconds), DigiByte has encountered and overcome a number of issues that many other blockchains such as Bitcoin will not face until the advent of the next century. It is due to this forward thinking nature that DigiByte adopted the SegWit protocol through a soft-fork consensus in 2017, being the first major blockchain to do so, well before Litecoin or Bitcoin adopted the upgrade.

DigiByte believes in on-chain scalability as a core tenet of its blockchain, with “second layer” protocols never expected to be the primary “solution” for increased throughput or transaction capacity. This on-chain scaling coupled with OP_codes and SegWit allows for a large number of usage scenarios, such as distributed applications (DApps), document notarization/validation, token issuance, and asset digitization.

DigiByte has a maximum supply of 21 billion DigiByte, to be fully mined by the year 2035. While other blockchains only utilize a single mining algorithm to mine new blocks and introduce new assets into circulation, DigiByte has employed five unique and independent algorithms in a “MultiAlgo” solution since block 145,000 in September 2014. DigiByte holds the dominant hash-power in 3 of its 5 algorithms globally, by an order of magnitude more than any other competing blockchain. This provides greater security to the network while helping prevent any “rented hash power” from attacking the blockchain.

Key Aspects of DigiByte

Decentralization

DigiByte is the most decentralized Proof-of-Work-mined blockchain in the world. Decentralization means there is no central controlling entity that is able to dictate direction, terms, use of the network, changes, charges and fees, locking of funds, or undoing transactions. Although the world predominantly understands centralized control, the mind-shift to decentralization is an incredibly important progression in today’s global society. Where many other cryptocurrencies concede significant compromises in one or more aspects of decentralization (if not all), DigiByte remains unwavering in its dedication to decentralization as a key aspect of being a globally distributed blockchain solution.

DigiByte maintains this decentralization through a combination of methods, namely:

1. Multiple algorithms;

2. GPU/FPGA mining;

3. On-chain scaling;

4. Educating the importance of running a full-node;

5. Embracing code contributions that uphold the ethos of DigiByte.

This decentralized nature is of vital importance not only for the survival of the DigiByte blockchain, but also to prevent any tampering from malicious actors, governments or corporations. Due to the lack of any “head” or controlling party, there is no entity to manipulate, blackmail, or “lean on”. In a world growing ever divided, there is solace in the consensus of the DigiByte network, that it can be relied upon as accurate and truthful without reservation.

Pure Consensus

This consensus is the core foundation of the DigiByte blockchain. Since its inception in January 2014, DigiByte has had its consensus mechanism reliant on the belief in on-chain scaling, speed, security, and forward-thinking progression of the DigiByte blockchain.

This consensus is obtained through a vastly distributed network of nodes running the Core DigiByte wallet, which holds a complete and continuously updated copy of the DigiByte blockchain, as well as block creation via the “Proof-of-Work” (POW) mining method. Other blockchains have shown that Staking, Distributed Proof-of-Stake, and other such poor attempts at alternative consensus methods are far too susceptible to centralization, manipulation, and tampering by various malicious individuals or organizations. Similarly, trusting a 3rd-party for consensus defeats the purpose of being a distributed and decentralized blockchain in the first place, with users genuinely being better off with a centralized database.

Proof-of-Work is the only proven and reliable method of obtaining a distributed and decentralized consensus (A solution to the Byzantine Generals Problem), which is why DigiByte proudly remains true to POW. Proponents of alternatives usually cite delays in block creation and propagation; however, thanks to DigiSpeed, the DigiByte blockchain overcomes this. Which is why the most battle-hardened POW consensus method is still being utilized today for DigiByte. There has never been any rational argument against the ability of POW to arrive at a sound consensus.

Permissionless

Network DigiByte is a completely permissionless blockchain. Since there is no centrally controlling entity to dictate the network, there is no need to seek “permission” from anyone. As such, permission is implied no matter what “use case” you would like to implement or accomplish with DigiByte. Examples include advertising the acceptance of DigiByte as a payment method, listing DigiByte on an exchange, using DigiByte with your platform/service, or when spending/sending/receiving DigiByte. In addition, anyone is free to speak on behalf of DigiByte, to promote DigiByte, or to even author a community Infopaper such as this.

DigiByte’s permissionless nature is both a by-product of decentralization, as well as an intentional aspect that the community deeply values and celebrates. This is what also prevents influence, changes, or take-overs by malicious parties, because the permissionless nature requires consensus from the majority of the network. It is a key characteristic of DigiByte which has held up against any would-be attempts from malicious actors for the past six years and counting.

On-Chain

Scaling DigiByte is a network that believes on-chain scaling should be the primary method for future growth in transaction volume and frequency. A true transaction only happens when it occurs on-chain and has been incorporated into the blockchain. Compare this to second-layer methods where transacting can occur without ever being presented to the network, thus defeating one of the primary reasons blockchain as a technology was created, immutability.

The very essence of the DigiByte blockchain is predicated upon the fact that all blocks since the very first Genesis Block are able to be replayed and cryptographically validated with all transactions being visible. There are no anonymous/shielded transactions employed as DigiByte believes a key defense for anonymity is the significant growth of on-chain transactions and the pseudo-anonymous nature of the UTXO’s architecture. In keeping with that philosophy the DigiByte blockchain will scale in future through block-size increases with proposals for the size to double every 2 years.

Broad support & network participation

DigiByte aspires to be broadly supported across a variety of platforms, to encourage participation from as many entities as possible. Part of pushing the boundaries regarding block timings / sizes means that not all will be able to participate with a full Core Node (for example, drivespace / data transfer / memory requirements), however broad support is available across Windows, Linux & OSX.

DigiByte development has also intentionally added backwards compatibility for older versions of Android that are prominent in developing & impoverished nations. This allows for greater participation, despite aging hardware devices. Broad network participation is also why the Android / iOS applications have been translated to 50+ native languages.

DigiByte Platforms

Mobile Applications

In mid-2018, DigiByte launched its Android and iOS applications to the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, respectively. These are best-in-class SPV applications that allow users to easily take their DigiByte with them, without requiring the complete download of the entire DigiByte blockchain.

The applications have focused on broad translation support for global adoption with 50+ full native languages completed so far. These applications are fully-fledged, with a unique, stylish, and highly polished interface implemented as the result of a community-run design contest.

Support for legacy versions of Android was also prioritized so the application can be accessed and installed by lower-cost hardware that is prevalent in developing and impoverished nations. This allows for global reach, with users able to operate the application in their native language. DigiByte mobile applications continue to be developed, with additional technologies being added in, such as Digi-ID.

Digi-ID

Digi-ID is a fast and secure authentication method that can be used to replace standard usernames, passwords, two-factor timed one-time passwords, building swipe-cards, and more. Authentication with Digi-ID is designed to overcome many of the pitfalls and vulnerabilities with traditional security methods. This includes things such as SIM-swapping, rendering SMS authentication insecure, or phishing for rolling TOTP codes.

Digi-ID can also be used for non-traditional authentication, such as games, phone/PC applications or building security. Digi-ID also does away with the need for multiple “accounts” as your Digi-ID is simply authorized access to a different aspect of a website, building, product or platform. Rather than requiring a user to utilize a unique login for personal use, and another for company dealings, the users single Digi-ID can be utilized.

Digi-ID is anonymous, with no information being stored or transmitted via the blockchain. There is also no personally identifiable information kept inside of the DigiByte mobile applications, nor any form of data-logging. This allows for easy compliance with GDPR regulations.

Digi-ID has already been implemented into the Coinomi application suite, and there are a number of additional “authenticator” applications available. This implementation into additional wallets further lowers the barriers-to-entry for new users, and a broader audience penetration with existing software.

Using Digi-ID as a basis for their authentication technology, the likes of AntumID have already created a variety of identification protocols built on top of the Digi-ID protocol, some with identity verification, as well as ground-breaking deterministic password-replacement technologies (DigiPassword).

DigiAssets

DigiByte is bringing the ability to launch “Digital Assets” on the blockchain with the DigiAssets platform. These assets can be both fungible or non-fungible tokens, credits, shares, event tickets, coins, trading cards, property deeds or titles, travel tickets, and more. Issuance of DigiAssets can take place both in a computer web-browser as well as development focus around extended issuance capabilities from the Android & iOS applications.

Mobile issuance coupled with the vast translation focus of DigiByte brings DigiAssets to a truly global audience across a variety of markets, both first-world, developing, and impoverished nations. Users worldwide can create a DigiAsset from their mobile phone, backed by the security and on-chain scalability of the DigiByte blockchain. DigiAssets are verified on the DigiByte blockchain, making them immutable, unforgeable, and making supply and ownership transparent. These DigiAssets can then easily be traded, sent, or received by users around the globe.

DigiAssets have the standard capabilities expected by users, such as the ability to further burn asset supply, and adding additional metadata to assets in the form of key + value pairs. With DigiByte’s on-chain scalability, proven battle-hardened security, and enviable decentralization, DigiAssets is the perfect platform for launching any type of digital asset.

Tracking DigiByte