Systems and methods for random differential relay and network coding

A blockchain network node for distributing a data packet in a blockchain network according to a data relay protocol, the blockchain network node arranged to:

• in a first mode, propagate the data packet according to a random differential relay, RDR, protocol comprising relaying the data packet to a randomly selected subset of one or more neighbouring nodes of the blockchain network node;
• and
• in a second mode, propagate the data packet according to a standard diffusion model comprising relaying the data packet to every neighbouring node of the blockchain network node,
• wherein propagation of the data packet for the blockchain network node participating in a diffusion mixer protocol is independently selected from the first mode or the second mode.

A computer-implemented method of propagating a data packet by a blockchain network node, the blockchain network node having one or more neighbouring nodes, the method comprising:

• in a first mode, propagating the data packet according to a random differential relay, RDR, protocol comprising relaying the data packet to a randomly selected subset of the one or more neighbouring nodes of the blockchain network node;
• and
• in a second mode, propagating the data packet according to a standard diffusion model comprising relaying the data packet to every neighbouring node of the blockchain network node,
• wherein propagation of the data packet for the blockchain network node participating in a diffusion mixer protocol is independently selected from the first mode or the second mode.