Secure Supply Chain Provenance via PUF-Anchored NFTs and 6G Edge Networks

Abstract

We propose a novel blockchain-based traceability system that uniquely combines Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to establish secure, tamper-evident, and verifiable digital identities for physical products. Unlike conventional approaches that rely solely on serial numbers or barcodes, our system uses embedded PUFs to generate a physically unclonable ID for each item, ensuring hardware-level authenticity. This PUF ID is cryptographically linked to an NFT minted on a public blockchain, encapsulating metadata such as product origin, manufacturing details, and certification status. Associating NFTs and certifications with PUF-tagged products not only provides transparent provenance but also enables decentralised validation of compliance and ethical standards. This methodology is distinct in its integration of immutable physical identity with blockchain-based digital certification, offering a robust solution for enhancing transparency, combating counterfeiting, and fostering trust across global supply chains. Furthermore, employing Edge and emerging 6G networks, our framework can execute PUF challenge–response and preliminary NFT minting directly at edge nodes. This establishes a real-time, low-latency architecture that reduces network congestion and gas costs for secure and sustainable supply chains.