Comparative Study of Blockchain Hashing Algorithms with a Proposal for HashLEA

Abstract

Blockchain has several unique features: data integrity, security, privacy, and immutability. For this reason, it is considered one of the most promising new technologies for a wide range of applications. Initially prominent in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, its applications have expanded into areas such as the Internet of Things. However, integrating blockchain into IoT systems is challenging due to the limited computing and storage capabilities of IoT devices. Efficient blockchain mining requires lightweight hash functions that balance computational complexity with resource constraints. In this study, we employed a structured methodology to evaluate hash functions for blockchain–IoT systems. Initially, a survey is conducted to identify the most commonly used hash functions in such environments. Also, this study identifies and evaluates a lightweight hash function, designated as HashLEA, for integration within blockchain-based IoT systems. Subsequently, these functions are implemented and evaluated using software coded in C and Node.js, thereby ensuring compatibility and practical applicability. Performance metrics, including software efficiency, hardware implementation, energy consumption, and security assessments, were conducted and analyzed. Ultimately, the most suitable hash functions, including HashLEA for blockchain–IoT applications, are discussed, striking a balance between computational efficiency and robust cryptographic properties. Also, the HashLEA hash function is implemented on a Raspberry Pi 4 with an ARM processor to assess its performance in a real-world blockchain–IoT environment. HashLEA successfully passes security tests, achieving a near-ideal avalanche effect, uniform hash distribution, and low standard deviation. It has been shown to demonstrate superior execution time performance, processing 100 KB messages in 0.157 ms and 10 MB messages in 15.48 ms, which represents a significant improvement in execution time over other alternatives such as Scrypt, X11, and Skein.