System and method for cascaded distribution of processing

Systems and methods are provided for distributing processing in a cascaded manner. These systems and methods are capable of providing a distributed network of processors that can provide solutions to respective segments and/or subsegments of a problem posed by one of the processors. Also provided are systems and methods for compensating participants for participating in a distributed computing transaction, and for auctioning, bidding or shopping for rights to engage in such distributed processing tasks. The system and method can be implemented using a software application that can be executed by each of a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors are interconnected by one or more networks. The network connections can be achieved using any of the many well-known mechanisms and protocols, including wireless communications and/or "wired" communications. The system and method are "cascaded" in that at least some of the processors distribute a problem to be solved, or parts thereof, to other processors via at least one intermediate tier of processors. Solutions to segments and/or to subsegments of the problem posed by one of the processors can be solved (e.g., calculated or otherwise suitably developed) by processors in the same tier and/or in different tiers.