Torrenting has been around for more than two decades, and at this point, virtually everyone and their grandma knows how to hop onto the Pirate Bay and download a torrent or two. However, did you know blockchain can make torrenting even better and give infamous torrent sites a much-needed rep makeover?
To show you exactly what we are talking about, we will tell you a bit more about blockchain and torrenting, the similarities between the two, and how blockchain technology can help improve torrenting as we know it.
What Is Blockchain?
The popularity and usage of blockchain have been on the rise ever since its inception. In today’s time, blockchain is used virtually everywhere. We rely on blockchain for cryptocurrency transactions and use it to build virtual worlds known as metaverses, and you can even find it in online casinos using blockchain technology.
By definition, blockchain is a distributed ledger of information. The information on the blockchain is stored in blocks of data, all interconnected and distributed across the entire network.
More importantly, blockchain is decentralized, so all the transactions on the blockchain are peer-to-peer. But doesn’t torrent work like that, you wonder? It does! And it’s precisely that aspect of blockchain we can use to make torrenting even better.
How Does Torrenting Work?
Torrenting is the process of sharing and distributing data through the BitTorrent network without needing a central server. In other words, torrenting is decentralized, just like blockchain, and sharing of the data occurs peer-to-peer.
The difference between the two is that BitTorrent breaks down files into smaller pieces, allowing you to download and upload files simultaneously. However, while all the data available on the blockchain is distributed across the entire network, files you can download via torrenting are stored on the uploader’s computer or a single server.
Simply put, all the data available on the blockchain is accessible at all times. However, to fully download all the information and data available from a specific torrent, you rely on other users to share and upload information, known as seeding.
The main issue here is that blockchain users are rewarded for participating in the network and sharing information. On the other hand, while torrent users are happy to download the files of others, there is no incentive to seed the data after you are finished downloading all the files, and you mainly rely on someone’s goodwill to continue seeding.
Additionally, another big issue with torrenting is that it has a lot of bad reputation. Namely, torrents are a well-known bane of the entertainment and music industry. While torrenting itself isn’t illegal, many of the files shared via torrents are, which is how torrenting became virtually synonymous with piracy and cybercrime.
In contrast, information on the blockchain is irreversible and virtually impossible to tamper with. Moreover, it is permanent, and everyone can access it at all times, making blockchain transparent and encouraging trust.
Making Torrenting Better with Blockchain
If there’s one thing that we’ve learned about blockchain so far is that blockchain technology has a ton of possibilities. Moreover, we are continuously discovering new ways to utilize it and make existing concepts and features even better.
When it comes to using blockchain to improve torrenting, there are several ways we can go about it, most of which utilize blockchain’s decentralized platforms. In fact, some companies have already found ways to improve torrenting and have achieved great results.
The first company that comes to mind is TRON, a blockchain platform that acquired BitTorrent in 2018. Immediately after that, TRON started working on new ways to improve torrenting by tackling one of the main issues regarding torrent usage—seeding.
While the concept of torrenting remained virtually the same, TRON added new features that incentivize file sharing. Namely, users can earn BTT crypto torrent tokens with BitTorrent Speed by simply seeding the data after downloading a torrent. Users can then either trade BTT tokens or use them to improve their download speed.
Similarly, Flixxo combined BitTorrent protocols and smart contracts to create a legal and decentralized platform where users can share video files and media. Creators can then monetize their own content and share the revenue with seeders, which, in return, incentivizes file sharing.
The Wrap Up
Blockchain technology is an excellent solution to many problems that plague torrenting.
By using decentralized and distributed networks and relying on key blockchain concepts, such as block rewards, we can solve one of the main issues with torrenting and incentivize file sharing, thus ensuring all the files available with a torrent are accessible and downloadable at all times.
Moreover, by making sure all the files are permanently available, we can track the data, boosting transparency and ensuring all the information available on a decentralized network is legal.
