How Does a Merkle Tree Proof-of-Reserve Work?<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe “Merkle Tree,” sometimes known as a “hash tree,” is the component that ensures the success of the Proof of Reserve protocol. Verification of assets held in reserve can be carried out using a tamper-proof and cryptographically secure approach with the use of a Merkle Tree (see below section for a more detailed explanation on how it works).<\/p>\n
Because it is a data structure that is based on a hash, it is extremely sensitive to even the most minute changes and may thus be used to protect against data fraud and manipulation.<\/p>\n
An unaffiliated third party is responsible for carrying out the Merkle Tree Proof of Reserve (PoR), as was previously indicated. The operation is as follows:<\/p>\n
1.<\/strong>\u00a0The independent auditor begins by compiling all of the user balances that are kept on a cryptocurrency exchange into a Merkle Tree after taking a snapshot of all of the user balances.<\/p>\n2.<\/strong>\u00a0A cryptographic hash function is used to this enormous data collection. A cryptographic hash function is a computer algorithm that scrambles data and spits it out as just one single, 64-character string, such as the following: 3537fkhjtyti67182njkaurghcryrgsjakektio9101sjrrlgekb1644afffnd25.<\/p>\n3.<\/strong>\u00a0The auditor will collect the digital signatures from the exchange that reveal the total balances it has and will then check to see whether they match the balances that are recorded in the Merkle tree for the users. The phrase “proof-of-reserve” comes from the fact that this demonstrates that all user assets are stored in the reserve of the exchange and consequently that all users’ trading money are also stored there.<\/p>\n4.<\/strong>\u00a0The user can subsequently verify that his assets were accounted for in the Proof of Reserves audit using a unique record ID and comparing it with the Merkle root.<\/p>\n5.<\/strong>\u00a0If there was any change to his asset balance, no matter how small, or it is a fake balance, it would result in a change that cascades up the tree to the Merkle root and changes the value completely.<\/p>\n6.<\/strong>\u00a0The user can subsequently verify that his assets were accounted for in the Proof of Reserves audit using a<\/p>\nThe Merkle Tree is the single value that establishes the integrity of all of the transactions by making even the tiniest amount of tampering evident. As such, the Merkle Tree is a value that proves the integrity of all of the transactions.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n