Flow control for probabilistic relay in a blockchain network

A computer implemented method for a node of a blockchain network, said node having a plurality of interfaces connected to peer nodes, the method comprising:

• analysing transactions received from a peer node;
• determining, based on the transactions received from a peer node, that a peer node is a malicious node;
• and
• upon determining that a peer node is a malicious node, removing connection to the peer node.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to:

• determine a capacity of a node over a time period based at least on input data and output data passing through one or more interfaces of the node to and from peer nodes;
• assign a profile of the node based at least on the input data and output data over a plurality of time periods;
• and
• set a minimum number of peer nodes and a maximum number of peer nodes connectable to the node based at least in part on the profile.

A system comprising:

• an interface device;
• a processor coupled to the interface device;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• determine a capacity of a node over a time period based at least on input data and output data passing through one or more interfaces of the node to and from peer nodes;
• assign a profile of the node based at least on the input data and output data over a plurality of time periods;
• and
• set a minimum number of peer nodes and a maximum number of peer nodes connectable to the node based at least in part on the profile.