Bitcoin Puzzle record
Bitcoin Puzzle #72
Where it sits on the line
- found
- open · address only
- open · public key on chain
- the line · 269
This puzzle needs about 271 search steps — above the line (269).
No puzzle above the line has been found yet.
Model: range scan. Every candidate key in the interval is hashed and compared with the address.
How the work is estimatedRecord
- HASH160
- bf7413e8df4e7a34ce9dc13e2f2648783ec54adb
- Search class
- address-only
- No public key on record: the only route is to hash candidate keys and compare them with the address (HASH160).
- Candidate interval
- 271 → 272 − 1
- start0x800000000000000000
- end0xffffffffffffffffff
- Interval size2361183241434822606848 scalars. Exact BigInt bounds, not a floating estimate.
Snapshot 2 Oct 2026. The reward is the catalog's nominal allocation (N × 0.1 convention from 2023-04-16; earlier spends predate it), not a live balance. A key that matches the address proves the math, not that the coins are still there: check an explorer. Missing fields are omitted, not invented.
Mentioned in the atlas
Where #72 comes up in the room pages. rooms 3 · mentions 4
- FAQ
-
- Why are some puzzles harder than others? MethodThe object
- Scale
-
- #72 — twice #71 Method
- #71 — width 270 MethodLandmarks on the ruler
- Library
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- Work scale MethodCatalog briefings
Method
Without a catalogued public key the work is sequential HASH160 comparison across the interval, so it grows with the interval size.