Implemented
Python reference node
Validate a linear account-state chain, exchange P2P v2 messages, persist blocks in RocksDB, and keep pending transactions in Redis.
Node setup →Testnet alphaEducational project
A blockchain you can actually take apart.
Luracoin is an educational proof-of-work network with a readable Python node, a local-first wallet, and an explorer designed to expose blocks and account state clearly.
No mainnet. No real-value assets. No independent security audit.
Protocol v2
BLOCK# n0000 ··· 7F2A
NEXT BLOCK# n + 1prev ··· 7F2A
PoW180s target
ACCOUNT STATEbalancenonce + 1
Rules before trustEvery transition is independently validated.
Block target180 s
Starting subsidy50 LURA
Smallest unit1 lurashi
ProtocolP2P v2
ModelAccounts
Learn the whole system
From signed transaction to verified block.
Luracoin keeps the stack compact enough to follow end to end, while implementing real cryptography, networking, persistence, and account-state rules.
Source alpha
Local-first wallet
Create or restore a 24-word wallet, keep its encrypted vault on your machine, sign locally, and talk only to your loopback node.
Meet the wallet →Preview
Public explorer
Search blocks, transactions, and addresses through a transparent interface. The live read-only API is currently being completed.
Explore the preview →Start from source
Read it. Run it. Change one thing.
The reference implementation is intentionally approachable. Set up Python and Redis, start a testnet node, then inspect its status from the same machine. The public alpha source release is still being prepared.
- 01Install the node
Use an isolated Python environment and install the development extras.
- 02Start Redis
Redis holds the mempool; the blockchain itself remains in local files and RocksDB.
- 03Run testnet
Start isolated or add only peer addresses you control. Public seeds are not available yet.
# From the current alpha source checkout
cd luracoin-python
# These examples use supported Python 3.12
python3.12 --version
python3.12 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install -e ".[dev]"Then start a local nodeluracoin node --network testnet --host 127.0.0.1 --port 9999 --rpc-port 18444
Your keys stay local
A wallet built around a boundary.
The renderer never receives the node's RPC bearer token. Electron reads it in the main process; browser mode uses a tightly scoped same-origin gateway served only from localhost.
- ✓24-word recoveryBIP39 with a single BIP32/secp256k1 address.
- ✓Encrypted local vaultAES-256-GCM with a password-derived key.
- ✓Canonical local signingDeterministic low-S signatures over the 213-byte transaction format.
- ✓Explicitly testnetMainnet stays unavailable and demo funds are always marked as sample data.
Protocol at a glance
Small enough to trace. Real enough to teach.
Account state
Each address has a balance and nonce. Transactions apply in order, using integer lurashis throughout consensus.
Proof of work
Blocks target three minutes, retarget every 480 blocks, and pay a block subsidy plus included fees.
Signed bytes
A normal transaction is exactly 213 bytes and uses deterministic ECDSA secp256k1 with canonical low-S signatures.
P2P v2
Peers perform a chain-aware handshake before exchanging inventory, blocks, transactions, and liveness messages.
API integration pending
See the chain without pretending it is live.
The explorer interface is ready for the new read-only API. Until that endpoint is published, it stays in a clearly labeled preview mode and uses the known testnet genesis only.
Open explorer preview →An honest alpha
What Luracoin is not—yet.
01No mainnetThe production genesis is intentionally undefined.
02No fork recoveryChainwork selection and reorganizations are not implemented.
03No public seeds or faucetThis guide starts on loopback; add only controlled peers deliberately.
04No security auditDo not use the software to custody anything of value.