Bitcoin script that terminates with multiple values on the stack Updated 2025-07-11 +Created 1970-01-01
Implementations:
- Python: github.com/alecalve/python-bitcoin-blockchain-parser/blob/c06f420995b345c9a193c8be6e0916eb70335863/blockchain_parser/utils.py#L41. Sample usage to extract 3 values from a
bytesobject:file, off = decode_varint(value) blk_off, off = decode_varint(value[off:]) tx_off, off = decode_varint(value[off:])
Reuploaded into the blockchain itself: bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/35959/how-is-the-whitepaper-decoded-from-the-blockchain-tx-with-1000x-m-of-n-multisi/105574#105574 by using the Satoshi uploader.
More conveniently available on bitcoin.org: bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf nowadays, except when it was down for a few years due to our master Craig Steven Wright.
HP Blade Server by Brian Kirsch (2013)
Source. Featuring an HP DL380 blade server, presumably an older model of this series: buy.hpe.com/uk/en/servers/proliant-dl-servers/proliant-dl300-servers/proliant-dl380-server/hpe-proliant-dl380-gen10-server/p/1010026818.
In the video we can see that it contains RAM, disk storage, we are told about two CPUs, and networking interfaces, so it is a complete computer on its own. He also explains that unlike typical rack servers, each blade unit does not have its own coolers and power supply related hardware, which goes instead on the chassis.
One of Ciro Santilli's favorites.
bbchallenge.org/story#what-is-known-about-bb lists some (all?) cool examples,
- BB(15): Erdős' conjecture on powers of 2, which has some relation to Collatz conjecture
- BB(27): Goldbach's conjecture
- BB(744): Riemann hypothesis
- BB(748): independent from the Zermelo-Fraenkel axioms
- BB(7910): independent from the ZFC
wiki.bbchallenge.org/wiki/Cryptids contains a larger list. In June 2024 it was discovered that BB(6) is hard.
Cool data embedded in the Bitcoin blockchain 503: Bitcoin over capacity Updated 2025-07-11 +Created 1970-01-01
Starting tx a87d406fae047258a12923b3c11a797a5765bd8f868df5c7e9b1cead0e92c9c1: the message:appears about 13 thousand times. WTF happened?
503: Bitcoin over capacity! Cool data embedded in the Bitcoin blockchain Illegal content of block 229k Updated 2025-07-11 +Created 1970-01-01
These can be viewed at bitcoinstrings.com/blk00052.txt and are mostly commented on the "Wikileaks cablegate data" section of Hidden surprises in the Bitcoin blockchain by Ken Shirriff (2014).
Soon after block 229991 uploaded the Satoshi uploader, several interesting files were added to the blockchain using the uploader, and notably some containing content that might be illegal in certain countries, as a test to see if this type of content would make the Bitcoin blockchain illegal or not:
- tx 08654f9dc9d673b3527b48ad06ab1b199ad47b61fd54033af30c2ee975c588bd block 229999 contains a leaked private key and a link to: threatpost.com/en_us/blogs/ami-firmware-source-codAe-private-key-leaked-040513
- tx b96af3b69b48a82c5eae3e44ebb6ef93f30d7764b1d5b40243e11b0d374ac1b7 block 230001 contains the link:followed presumably by one such prime starting with:The number is quoted e.g. at: www.computerforum.com/threads/illegal-prime-number.67782/
4 85650 78965 73978 29309 84189 46942 86137 70744 20873 51357 92401 96520 73668
- tx 237783998a6799264983150187a73ab6d116f2ba78d3e1f88529e95229f59d67 block 233620 contains another illegal prime starting with:
This one is quoted in a few places online in blockchain illegality discussions:49310 83597 02850 19002 75777 67239 07649 57284
- www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1akyy4/comment/c8yel60 "What happens if someone inserts illegal content into the block chain?" (2013-03-19)
- news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8055243 "Filecoin – Data storage network and crypto-currency based on Bitcoin" (2014-07-18)
- tx 54e48e5f5c656b26c3bca14a8c95aa583d07ebe84dde3b7dd4a78f4e4186e713 block 230009 contains the Bitcoin white paper: bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf More context: bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/35959/how-is-the-whitepaper-decoded-from-the-blockchain-tx-with-1000x-m-of-n-multisi
- tx 691dd277dc0e90a462a3d652a1171686de49cf19067cd33c7df0392833fb986a block 230203 Cablegate index. The announced filename is
cablegate-201012041811.7z. As mentioned in Hidden surprises in the Bitcoin blockchain by Ken Shirriff (2014), it has an ASCII list of several other transactions, which presumably when downloaded with the Satoshi uploader can concatenated lead to the full 7z file. Also as mentioned by Ken, it is infinitely easier for the average user to just access the cables directly on WikiLeaks :-) The data is preceded by the message:sSEXWikileaks Cablegate Backup cablegate-201012041811.7z Download the following transactions with Satoshi Nakamoto's download tool which can be found in transaction 6c53cd987119ef797d5adccd76241247988a0a5ef783572a9972e7371c5fb0cc Free speech and free enterprise! Thank you Satoshi! - tx dde7cd8e8f073a525c16c5ee4e4a254f847b7ad6babef257231813166fbef551 block 230229 and tx 4a0088a249e9099d205fb4760c28275d4b8965ac9fd56f5ddf6771cdb0d94f38 block 230231 contain indexes of pages from The Hidden Wiki. These can be viewed at: bitcoinstrings.com/blk00052.txt. Not reproduced here because we are cowards.
So basically, this was the first obviously illegal block attempt.
None of this content is particularly eye-popping for Ciro Santilli's slightly crazy freedom of speech standards, and as of 2021, the Bitcoin blockchain likely hasn't become illegal anywhere yet due to freedom of speech concerns.
Furthermore, it is likely much easier to find much worse illegal content by browsing any uncensored Onion service search engine for 2 minutes.
Ciro Santilli estimates that perhaps the uploader didn't upload child pornography, which is basically the apex of illegality of this era, because they were afraid that their identities would one day be found.
Bibliography:
- bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=191039.0 "WTF - Kiddy Porn in the Blockchain for life?" (2013-04-29) on the Bitcoin Forum
Some interesting usages:
There are unlisted articles, also show them or only show them.