This working paper applies Deep Systems Analysis (DSA) to Bitcoin,
framing it as a complex adaptive system whose technical, economic, and
social dynamics must be understood through an integrated lens. Using a
three-phase methodology—system identification, environmental analysis,
and recursive decomposition—we dissect Bitcoin’s core subsystems (validation, mining, protocol, and development) and their interactions. The
analysis illustrates how emergent properties like decentralization and censorship resistance arise from these interconnections, offering a rigorous
holistic perspective beyond that provided by traditional siloed academic
disciplines. With Bitcoin’s growing adoption by individuals, corporations,
and nation-states, this framework aims to provide a foundation for rigorous modeling, policy development, and future cryptoeconomic research.
As a draft, I’m seeking feedback to refine this initial application of DSA
to the Bitcoin network.

A Deep Systems Analysis of Bitcoin