New Dataset ORBITAAL Enhances Bitcoin Transaction Research

A new dataset called ORBITAAL has been introduced to facilitate research on Bitcoin transactions, which are of interest in both economic and network science fields. The dataset, developed by Célestin Coquidé and Rémy Cazabet, is the first of its kind to utilize a temporal graph formalism. It encompasses all Bitcoin transactions from January 2009 to January 2021, providing a comprehensive view of the entity-entity transaction networks.

The ORBITAAL dataset includes temporal graph representations, snapshots, and stream graphs, which allow researchers to analyze the dynamics of Bitcoin transactions over time. Each transaction's value is presented in both Bitcoin and US dollars, based on daily conversion rates. Additionally, the dataset offers insights into the entities involved in transactions, including their global Bitcoin balance and associated public addresses.

This initiative addresses the challenges associated with analyzing raw blockchain data, which can be complex due to the specificities of the Bitcoin protocol and the richness of the data. By making this dataset accessible, the authors aim to enhance the ability of researchers to study Bitcoin transactions more effectively.

The dataset is available for public access, and researchers are encouraged to utilize it for further exploration of Bitcoin's economic and network implications. For more information, the paper can be accessed here.