This is not a replacement for block data you already have.  This is a separate file, that is only used once, during data import.

After data import, the file is renamed to bootstrap.dat.old, and never touched again.  Most will want to manually delete it, after use.

Update: the torrent moved to this thread.

As a companion release, the Bitcoin blockchain data torrent has been updated.

This torrent gives you a "bootstrap.dat" file.  If you are initializing a bitcoin client for the first time, drop bootstrap.dat into $DATADIR (your bitcoin data directory), and the bitcoin client will import all the block/transaction data found in that file.

P.S.  Long-term seeders are requested and welcome!  See thread linked above for details.

This thread is officially obsolete.

Non-beta torrent thread now posted at https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145386.0

This is a torrent of the publicly available bitcoin blockchain data.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  As of Bitcoin Core version 0.10.0 or later, this torrent is slower than a direct download using the bitcoin P2P protocol & client.  This torrent is now only maintained for research and development purposes as a secondary option.  Please use Bitcoin Core directly to download the blockchain.

Bitcoin-Qt/bitcoind version 0.7.1 and later supports a special import feature:  If the file "bootstrap.dat" is found in the bitcoin data directory, it will validate and import all blockchain data found in that file.  The following torrent presents a bootstrap.dat file for that feature.

Here is the PGP-signed torrent information.  The public key for jgarzik@bitpay.com may be found at public keyservers or http://bitcoin.org/jgarzik-bitpay.asc   Details follow below the signature.

Updated:  August 23, 2014

http://gtf.org/garzik/bitcoin/bootstrap.txt


What is bootstrap.dat?

It is a flat, binary file containing bitcoin blockchain data, from the genesis block through height 317,000.

Versions 0.7.1+ automatically validates and imports a file in the data directory named "bootstrap.dat".

Special note: Version prior to 0.8.0 have a bug which will only import 2G of data from a file.  This is fixed in 0.8.0.


Who wants bootstrap.dat?

Anyone bringing up a new node using the reference client.  This is one method of accelerating the initial blockchain download process, while helping the bitcoin P2P network by offloading data download traffic from public P2P nodes.

This download is not for those who are already running the bitcoin client.


How often will this torrent be updated?

Assuming this project is deemed useful and worth continuing... the torrent will be updated once every few months, when the checkpoints are updated in the reference client source code.


Why not update the torrent more often?

A torrent works best when it is a large, static dataset that changes infrequently.  That maximizes the ability to seed the data, enabling even part-timer seeders to contribute meaningfully.  Less frequent changes also minimizes the risk that a malicious torrent will appear, with a long, malicious side chain.  The current policy only updates the torrent after blocks are buried many thousands deep in the chain.


Why should I trust you?

You don't have to:  This data is raw block chain data.  The client will verify this data during import.

Independent third parties may generate their own bootstrap.dat, up to height 317,000, and verify that the sha256sum matches that posted above.  The file format is simple and publicly known:

     <4-byte pchMessageStart><32-bit length><CBlock, serialized in network wire format>


Torrent file download?

If the magnet link does not work, download the torrent file from https://bitcoin.org/bin/block-chain/   http://gtf.org/garzik/bitcoin/bootstrap.dat.torrent

How can I help?  Do you need more seeds?

Yes, we need as many long term seeds as possible.  This ensures we can meet torrent download demand immediately at high speeds, and remain idle the remainder of the time.


Generate the file myself?

You may generate the file yourself, rather than downloading it, if you have Bitcore Core and python.  The tool used to generate bootstrap.dat is https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/tree/master/contrib/linearize


Comments welcome

Post any comments or experiences in this thread.  I'll update the OP as needed.

Currently beta-testing the following updated torrent:

SHA256 bf658c7055b733bfc15ea167f298c5599b89d220b14dbe7c8ef20b18e468c451

magnet:?xt=urn:btih:6fe493ba606847eac163baf35aae9db319735482&dn=bootstrap.dat&tr=udp://tracker.openbittorrent.com:80&tr=udp://tracker.publicbt.com:80&tr=udp://tracker.ccc.de:80&tr=udp://tracker.istole.it:80

or http://gtf.org/garzik/bitcoin/bootstrap.dat.torrent (please use magnet link, if possible)

When sufficient seeds appear, a new PGP-signed forum post will be made, obsoleting this thread.

See the 'spendfrom' script in contrib/ of version 0.8.0.

Wifi or ethernet

One would think, if you want long term storage, the Satoshi client would be the best choice (or perhaps Armory, which uses the Satoshi client).  For long term storage you can afford to wait for network sync.

If you want lower security with instant access, one can use a web wallet.  But move your bitcoins off a centralized website as soon as possible...

Ditto others: received a WalletBit emailed receipt confirming payment.

The preferred support method for Avalon is http://support.avalon-asic.com/ from what I understand.

I'm surprised at WalletBit frankly.

Yes, this is being reported in the Custom hardware board.

Many people are seeing this problem.

Update:

Order #1797 cancelled due to timeout, after bitcoins were sent.

Bitcoin transaction id as mentioned: a73362b554f5611e43284ca42ff2ee07876e64452c9b8e1eed15255339b95742

Tickets submitted at Avalon and WalletBit support pages, with attached screenshot.

Order #1797
Quantity: 1
Price: 56.82364894
txid: a73362b554f5611e43284ca42ff2ee07876e64452c9b8e1eed15255339b95742

WalletBit guest pay interface is still showing "..." repeatedly, 60 seconds after sending transaction.

Ditto.

My workaround:  log out of walletbit account, and pay as guest

That wouldn't be an accurate test of the new firmware, if the settings were altered before giving the defaults a good chance to succeed/fail.

New firmware received from Avalon via email.

Upgrade was successful using standard web-based OpenWRT firmware upgrade procedure.

New image appears to be based on cgminer 2.10.5, and the fans are running at a much higher speed (and noise level) than the previous image.  Restarted and was back to mining within minutes... let's see how this impacts stability.

heh, no.

Sirius is one of the first bitcoin users/developers besides Satoshi.

He is still occasionally logs into the forums, and I just transferred full control of bitcointalk.org domain over to him last week.

Miners include free transactions because there is an incentive to encourage bitcoin use in general.  The fees alone do not yet support the network, so even fee-paying transactions are below-cost.