Credential generation and distribution method and system for a blockchain network

A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

• implement a specialized blockchain node, wherein the specialized node is one of a plurality of specialized nodes, and the plurality of specialized nodes forms an overlay network arranged to interact with a blockchain network comprising full nodes, simplified payment verification (SPV) nodes or lightweight nodes to facilitate cooperation in pursuing fast mining and propagation of blockchain blocks;
• provide a subset of blockchain functions comprising a block mining function and at least one of:
• a transaction validation function;
• a transaction propagation function;
• a block validation function;
• and
• a storage function a storage function for storing unconfirmed transactions or unspent transaction outputs;
• and
• provide one or more transactions to a plurality of blockchain nodes, the blockchain node configured to provide the block mining function, wherein in response to a first of the plurality of blockchain nodes successfully executing the block mining function, the specialized blockchain node is further configured to not return the deposit to any other blockchain node;
• and
• if none of the plurality of blockchain nodes successfully execute the block mining function, configure the specialized blockchain node to return a deposit to each of the plurality of blockchain nodes.

A specialized blockchain node comprising:

• a memory configured to store computer executable instructions;
• a processor to execute the computer executable instructions;
• and
• a network interface,
• wherein the specialized node is one of a plurality of specialized nodes, and the plurality of specialized nodes forms an overlay network arranged to interact with a blockchain network comprising full nodes, simplified payment verification (SPV) nodes or lightweight nodes to facilitate cooperation in pursuing fast mining and propagation of blockchain blocks;
• and
• the computer executable instructions, when executed configure the specialized blockchain node to:
• provide a subset of blockchain functions comprising at least one of:
• a transaction validation function;
• a transaction propagation function;
• a block validation function;
• a block mining function;
• and
• a storage function for storing unconfirmed transactions or unspent transaction outputs;
• provide one or more transactions to a plurality of blockchain nodes separate from the specialized blockchain node, at least a first of the plurality of blockchain nodes configured to provide the block mining function, wherein in response to the first of the plurality of blockchain nodes successfully executing the block mining function, the specialized blockchain node is further configured to not return the deposit to any other blockchain node;
• and
• if none of the plurality of blockchain nodes successfully execute the block mining function, configure the specialized blockchain node to return a deposit to each of the plurality of blockchain nodes.