Cryptoeconomic Systems
Modeling blockchain-based economic and governance systems through a systems science lens.
Bitcoin Network Model
Overview
BERT includes a comprehensive Deep Systems Analysis of the Bitcoin network, representing one of the first rigorous applications of DSA methodology to cryptoeconomic systems. This model dissects Bitcoin's architecture into four core interacting subsystems:
Validation - Distributed network of full nodes maintaining consensus
Mining - Proof-of-work security and transaction confirmation
Protocol - Core rules engine enabling decentralized coordination
Development - Controlled evolution through community consensus
Key Features
The Bitcoin model demonstrates:
Emergent Properties - How decentralization and censorship resistance arise from subsystem interactions
Boundary Definition - Clear interfaces managing flows of transactions, electricity, and code contributions
Measurable Flows - Quantifiable parameters for all system inputs and outputs
Hierarchical Structure - Recursive decomposition revealing internal dynamics
Model Specifications
Complexity Score: ~25-30 (High complexity reflecting Bitcoin's sophisticated architecture)
Subsystems: 4 primary components with detailed interfaces
External Entities: Users, GitHub contributors, power grid, environment
Flow Types: Energy (electricity/heat), Messages (transactions/blocks), Resources (code)
Research Foundation
This model is based on the working paper "A Deep Systems Analysis of Bitcoin" by Shingai Thornton (2025), which applies DSA methodology to understand Bitcoin as a complex adaptive system operating at the intersection of physical, digital, and social realms.
The paper demonstrates how DSA reveals Bitcoin's essential properties like decentralization and censorship resistance emerge from subsystem interactions rather than individual components.
Access the Model
The Bitcoin system model is available in the Model Browser and demonstrates BERT's capability to analyze sophisticated cryptoeconomic systems with academic rigor.
Future Examples
Ethereum Ecosystem Model
Coming soon - Analysis of Ethereum's multi-layer architecture including execution layer, consensus layer, and DeFi protocols.
DAO Governance Systems
Coming soon - Organizational structures in decentralized autonomous organizations with voting mechanisms and treasury management.
Why Model Cryptoeconomic Systems?
These systems offer unique insights for systems science:
Pure digital systems - No physical constraints on structure
Transparent operations - All state changes are observable
Rapid evolution - Fast iteration on governance and economics
Natural experiments - Real-world tests of system theories
Contributing
Interested in contributing cryptoeconomic system models? Join the discussion at github.com/Halcyonic-Systems/bert
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