The rapid proliferation of blockchain technology has fundamentally transformed global finance through the introduction of decentralized digital assets. However, the intrinsic characteristics that define cryptocurrencies namely decentralization, pseudonymity, and transactional irreversibility have simultaneously rendered the ecosystem a primary target for sophisticated cyber-attacks. This study investigates the critical dichotomy between the "code is law" philosophy and the imperative need for robust cybersecurity frameworks within a rapidly expanding market capitalization. This paper provides a multi-layered architectural analysis of vulnerabilities across the network, infrastructure, and application layers of the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Specifically, it examines systemic threats such as 51% attacks, smart contract exploits (including reentrancy and logic bugs), decentralized finance (DeFi) rug pulls, and sophisticated social engineering schemes. To address these vulnerabilities, the study evaluates the efficacy of current defense-in-depth mechanisms, including air-gapped cold storage solutions, multi-signature protocols, third-party smart contract auditing, and privacy-enhancing Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). Furthermore, the research explores the integration of regulatory frameworks (AML/KYC standards) and proactive technological defenses like real-time on-chain analytics. Ultimately, this study proposes an enhanced, holistic threat prevention strategy designed to mitigate systemic risks, eliminate single points of failure, and safeguard the future integrity of digital asset platforms.
Social media entrepreneurship is shaped by centralized platforms controlling algorithms, monetization, and data, often limiting autonomy and bargaining power. Blockchain governance and smart contracts offer alternative arrangements to enhance transparency, trust, and value distribution. This study aims to examine the role of blockchain governance and smart contracts as alternative institutional mechanisms for entrepreneurs in social media ecosystems, with a focus on implementation conditions, strategic opportunities, and associated limitations. This research adopts a qualitative conceptual approach based on a systematic review of indexed academic literature published between 2022 and 2025, complemented by an analysis of documentation from blockchain based social media platforms, white papers, and relevant industry reports. The analysis maps key challenges faced by social media entrepreneurs onto blockchain governance mechanisms and smart contract functionalities. The findings indicate that blockchain governance and smart contracts can enhance entrepreneurial participation, improve transparency in revenue distribution, and strengthen the protection of digital assets. However, these benefits are context dependent and con- strained by several factors, including technical complexity, unequal token distribution, and regulatory uncertainty. Therefore, blockchain governance and smart contracts should not be viewed as universal solutions, but as strategic instruments whose effectiveness depends on inclusive governance design, sufficient technical readiness, and adaptive policy frameworks to support sustainable social media entrepreneurship. This article contributes by proposing an evaluative framework to assess the implementation of blockchain governance and smart contracts in social media entrepreneurship, emphasizing alignment be- tween technological design, governance inclusivity, and ecosystem readiness.
The growing demand for secure, transparent, and efficient financial systems has accelerated interest in blockchain technology within the financial sector. This study investigates the determinants and outcomes of financial blockchain adoption by proposing an integrated research model that links core blockchain characteristics security and transparency, smart contracts, and decentralization to financial blockchain adoption and its subsequent effects on fraud reduction, risk management, and cost efficiency. Using data collected from financial institutions operating in Jordan, the study applies Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to empirically test the proposed hypotheses. The findings demonstrate that security and transparency, smart contracts, and decentralization significantly and positively influence financial blockchain adoption. Moreover, the results confirm that financial blockchain adoption has a strong positive impact on fraud reduction, risk management effectiveness, and operational cost efficiency. By conceptualizing blockchain adoption as a strategic organizational capability rather than a purely technological choice, this study extends existing blockchain and fintech literature. The findings provide valuable theoretical insights into how blockchain characteristics translate into tangible financial outcomes and offer practical guidance for financial institutions and policymakers seeking to enhance trust, governance, and efficiency through blockchain-based financial systems.
This research paper provides a comprehensive examination of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology two of the most transformative innovations of the 21st century. We explore the foundational principles of distributed ledger technology, the diverse taxonomy of cryptocurrencies, consensus mechanisms, smart contracts, and decentralised finance (DeFi). Additionally, this paper investigates the security landscape of the crypto ecosystem, cataloguing major hacking incidents, attack vectors, and mitigation strategies. The paper concludes with an outlook on future developments and regulatory trends.
Abstract. Transaction costs are considered one of the key factors determining the efficiency of market mechanisms in modern economic systems. Contract enforcement, data collection and verification, trust assurance between parties, and monitoring mechanisms generate additional costs for economic agents. In particular, in the context of global trade and the digital economy, the increase in these costs can limit the efficiency of market operations. In recent years, the rapid development of blockchain technology has created new institutional and technological opportunities to reduce transaction costs. This distributed ledger technology minimizes the need for intermediaries, ensures data immutability, and enhances transparency in economic relations. This paper analyzes the role of blockchain technology in reducing transaction costs based on economic theory and existing scholarly approaches. Within the research framework, the mechanisms through which blockchain technology addresses information asymmetry, automates contract enforcement, and strengthens trust mechanisms are examined. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the potential efficiency benefits of blockchain technology and scientifically demonstrate its strategic importance in reducing transaction costs.
Євген Олександрович Живило, Юрій Володимирович Кучма
Formulation of the problem in general. The purpose of the article is to develop a multi-agent model of adaptive trust for decentralised confidential systems, capable of ensuring the integrity and reliability of computing processes in the presence of adaptive attacks on network nodes. Research methods. During the research, analysis and synthesis methods were used to study approaches to the construction of multi-agent systems and trust management mechanisms in decentralised environments. The method of system and simulation modelling was used to develop a multi-agent model of adaptive trust and to study its behaviour under attacks on the integrity of computing processes. Experimental and comparative methods enabled evaluation of the proposed approach's effectiveness and justification of its advantages over static trust models. Literature review. Literary analysis shows that modern models of trust in decentralised systems are based on the integration of dynamic adaptive mechanisms, AI algorithms, and cryptographic protocols, which allow for increased cyber resilience and data integrity. At the same time, questions remain open about the scalability of models, the optimisation of adaptation parameters, and the integration of national and European regulatory approaches into practical systems, which provide a scientific perspective for the development of multi-agent models of adaptive trust. Research results. The article formalises attacks on the integrity of computing processes and develops a multi-agent model of adaptive trust for decentralised confidential systems based on Bayesian updating and evolutionary adaptation of strategies. The results of the simulation experiments confirmed that the proposed model provides high resistance to attacks, rapid stabilisation of agent confidence levels and an effective balance between security, privacy and performance. Research novelty. The work improves approaches to trust formation in decentralised systems by integrating models of multi-agent interaction and stochastic game theory, in which trust is modelled as an evolutionary process under conditions of incomplete information. Well-known Bayesian models of trust have been expanded by combining Bayesian belief update mechanisms with reinforcement learning algorithms, ensuring dynamic adaptation of agent behaviour to variable and targeted attacks on the integrity of computational processes. The mechanism for correcting agents' strategies has been clarified, extending classic game models of trust to decentralised, confidential systems without centralised control, thereby increasing their resistance to adaptive threats. Theoretical and practical significance. The study expands theoretical approaches to the formation of adaptive trust in decentralised systems and integrates Bayesian updating with reinforcement learning algorithms. In practice, the model increases resistance to integrity attacks and ensures the confidentiality of data exchange, enabling the adaptive development of secure platforms for federated learning, Web3, and IoT. Conclusion and future work. The proposed model of adaptive trust in decentralised systems, integrating Bayesian updating, behavioural indicators, and reinforcement learning, ensures agent self-adaptation and increases resistance to attacks on data integrity under conditions of incomplete information. Simulation experiments confirmed the model's effectiveness in balancing security, privacy, and the transparency of interaction, opening the way for integration into Zero Trust Architecture and the development of intelligent, next-generation trust systems.
Asif Ali Laghari, Awais Khan Jumani, Shoulin Yin, Muhammad Bux Alvi · 7 authors
Blockchain is a decentralized, public, and distributed ledger designed to securely record and track transactions. It possesses the potential to transform various industries, including healthcare, supply chain management, and financial services, by enhancing transparency, efficiency, and trust. Despite its promise, blockchain development continues to face several challenges, particularly concerning security, scalability, and standardization. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of blockchain technology, focusing on its quality of service (QoS), security mechanisms, and the latest frameworks and models shaping its evolution. Furthermore, it examines existing limitations and identifies key open research challenges that must be addressed for broader adoption. The findings suggest that blockchain can substantially improve operational efficiency and data integrity across multiple domains; however, realizing its full potential requires continued research and technological advancement to overcome current barriers.
يواجه النشر العلمي الرقمي تحديات متراكمة تتمحور حول التحيز التحريري، وغموض عمليات مراجعة الأقران، وتركّز السلطة في يد قلة من البوابات الأكاديمية، حتى في ظل اعتماد منصات مفتوحة المصدر مثل نظام المجلات المفتوحة (Open Journal Systems - OJS) بإصداره 3.x. تُقدّم هذه الورقة النظرية إطاراً مفاهيمياً رائداً يستكشف إمكانية دمج نماذج حوكمة المنظمات المستقلة اللامركزية (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations - DAOs) داخل البنية المعمارية لنظام OJS 3.x، بهدف إعادة هندسة عمليات مراجعة الأقران واتخاذ القرارات التحريرية وفق منطق الشفافية الفائقة (Hyper-Transparency). يتأسس الإطار المقترح نظرياً على تكامل النظرية المؤسسية (Institutional Theory) ونظرية الوكالة (Agency Theory)، حيث تُوظَّف الأولى لتحليل الضغوط المعيارية والتقليدية والقسرية التي تُشكّل سلوك المجلات العلمية، فيما تُستخدم الثانية لتفسير مشكلات عدم تماثل المعلومات بين الأطراف الفاعلة (المحررون، المراجعون، المؤلفون، القراء). يقترح البحث ستة مكونات معمارية للإطار: العقود الذكية لإدارة سير العمل التحريري، رموز الحوكمة (Governance Tokens) لتوزيع حقوق التصويت، السجلات الموزعة (Distributed Ledgers) لتوثيق المراجعات، آليات الإجماع للقرارات النهائية، أنظمة السمعة المُرمَّزة (Tokenized Reputation Systems)، وبروتوكولات حل النزاعات الخوارزمية. تكشف المناقشة أن هذا الدمج يُعيد توزيع سلطة الحراسة الأكاديمية، ويُقلّل من تكاليف الوكالة، ويُعزّز الشرعية المؤسسية للمجلات، إلا أنه يُولّد توترات جديدة تتعلق بالإجماع الزائف، والتمويل غير المستدام، والتعقيد التقني. يُقدّم البحث آثاراً إدارية محورية لمسؤولي OJS، ويختتم بأجندة بحثية مستقبلية تُشجّع على التحقق التجريبي للإطار في سياقات نشر متنوعة.
Maimunatu Ya'u Ibrahim, Kabiru Ibrahim Musa, Aminu Ahmad, Muhammad Tella
This study develops and evaluates a blockchain–IoT framework for enhancing digital banking security, with a focus on the Nigerian financial ecosystem. Unlike prior works that apply blockchain in generic contexts, this research addresses unique challenges facing developing economies, including weak authentication mechanisms, insider fraud, and systemic vulnerabilities in centralized infrastructures. The framework integrates IoT-based payment processes with blockchain protocols to deliver tamper-proof, real-time transactions, supported by lightweight consensus. Implemented in Python and tested under simulated banking conditions, the model demonstrates stable one-second block intervals, simulated peak throughput exceeding 237,000 transactions per second under controlled execution conditions, and robust handling of diverse transaction values. A comparative evaluation of Proof of Authority (PoA), Proof of Stake (PoS), and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) confirms PoA as the most practical for IoT-enabled banking in Nigeria, balancing scalability, energy efficiency, and real-time validation. By situating blockchain within Africa’s digital economy and providing a context-sensitive consensus analysis, this study advances both the theoretical and applied understanding of secure, decentralized payment infrastructures. The findings lay the groundwork for real-world deployment of blockchain-based solutions to strengthen digital banking security and financial inclusion in emerging markets.
SHAIK SANA SHAIK SANA, N. SOUJANYA N. SOUJANYA, MOHAMMED MAJEED MOHAMMED MAJEED, BUCHI PAVITHRA BUCHI PAVITHRA · 6 authors
In the current digital era, social media platforms have become pivotal for individuals to express their opinions, political views, and product reviews. However, the centralized nature of traditional social media systems poses significant risks related to data breaches, server crashes, and single points of failure. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel approach to migrate from centralized to decentralized social media platforms by leveraging Blockchain technology. Blockchain ensures data immutability, decentralized storage, and enhanced security by distributing data across multiple nodes. Any tampering with data is immediately detectable due to the cryptographic linkage of data blocks through unique SHA-256 hash codes. The proposed system, named dTweets, enables users to post and view tweets securely using smart contracts written in Solidity and deployed on the Ethereum network. This decentralization prevents fraudulent users from spreading misinformation or unauthorized advertisements. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system achieves strong data integrity, tamper resistance, and transparent operation while maintaining acceptable transaction latency. This implementation provides a robust foundation for a secure and tamper-proof social media ecosystem. KEYWORDS : Blockchain, Decentralized Social Media, Data Security, Privacy Protection, Smart Contracts, SHA-256, Proof of Work, Distributed Ledger, Ethereum, Solidity, dTweets, Secure Data Storage, Web3.
Blockchain technology has emerged as one of the most transformative innovations in the financial sector, enabling secure, transparent, and decentralized transaction systems. Among its key applications, smart contracts have gained significant attention for automating financial agreements and reducing the need for intermediaries. Smart contracts are self-executing digital agreements embedded within blockchain networks that automatically enforce contractual terms when predefined conditions are met. The present study examines the role of blockchain-based smart contracts in financial transactions and evaluates their impact on efficiency, transparency, security, and cost reduction in financial systems. The study is based on secondary data collected from industry reports, academic publications, and financial technology databases. Analytical methods including descriptive analysis and regression-based conceptual modeling are used to examine the relationship between smart contract adoption and financial transaction efficiency. The findings indicate that smart contracts significantly enhance transaction speed, reduce operational costs, minimize fraud risk, and improve transparency in financial systems. The study concludes that blockchain-based smart contracts have the potential to transform financial transactions by improving efficiency, reliability, and trust in digital financial ecosystems.
Blockchain technology has emerged as one of the most disruptive forces in modern computing, fundamentally reshaping how digital ecosystems manage trust, transparency, and decentralization. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of blockchain architecture—covering distributed ledger mechanisms, consensus protocols, and smart contract frameworks—and examines their transformative impact across domains including finance, healthcare, supply chain, and governance. A secondary theme of the paper explores the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a convergent and supporting technology to blockchain, particularly in areas of anomaly detection, intelligent contract automation, and predictive analytics. Using a structured literature review methodology, we identify key architectural components, survey real-world applications, evaluate current limitations, and outline future research directions. Findings suggest that while blockchain independently offers significant systemic advantages, its integration with AI amplifies scalability, security, and decision-making capabilities—heralding a new paradigm for digital infrastructure.
Prof. Ambreen Anees, Alisha Abbasi Shaikh, Aman Ullah Khan, Mohammad Fahad Kirmani · 5 authors
The rapid digital transformation of healthcare systems has significantly improved the storage, accessibility, and management of patient information; however, it has also introduced serious challenges related to data security, privacy, and trust. Traditional centralized medical record systems are vulnerable to single points of failure, unauthorized access, and data breaches, which may compromise sensitive patient data. This paper proposes a decentralized framework for secure medical records management using blockchain technology. The system utilizes a distributed ledger to store medical data in a tamper-resistant and immutable manner, ensuring integrity and transparency. Cryptographic techniques are employed to encrypt patient data and enforce secure access control, allowing only authorized users to retrieve or update records. Additionally, smart contracts are used to automate access permissions and eliminate the need for intermediaries, improving efficiency. By removing dependence on a central authority, the proposed approach enhances reliability, security, and trust among stakeholders while ensuring privacy protection and controlled data sharing in modern healthcare environments.
Alisha Abbasi Shaikh, Aman Ullah Khan, Mohammad Fahad Kirmani, S. Ali
The rapid digital transformation of healthcare systems has significantly improved the storage, accessibility, and management of patient information; however, it has also introduced serious challenges related to data security, privacy, and trust. Traditional centralized medical record systems are vulnerable to single points of failure, unauthorized access, and data breaches, which may compromise sensitive patient data. This paper proposes a decentralized framework for secure medical records management using blockchain technology. The system utilizes a distributed ledger to store medical data in a tamper-resistant and immutable manner, ensuring integrity and transparency. Cryptographic techniques are employed to encrypt patient data and enforce secure access control, allowing only authorized users to retrieve or update records. Additionally, smart contracts are used to automate access permissions and eliminate the need for intermediaries, improving efficiency. By removing dependence on a central authority, the proposed approach enhances reliability, security, and trust among stakeholders while ensuring privacy protection and controlled data sharing in modern healthcare environments.
Social media has become a transformative force for entrepreneurship, enabling startups to access global markets, engage directly with customers, and build brands with limited resources. This study explores the role of social media in entrepreneurial success, focusing on platform-specific strategies, consumer engagement, and challenges faced by startups. Using qualitative methods, including thematic analysis of interviews and case studies, the study identifies key themes such as data-driven decision-making, authenticity, and leveraging influencer partnerships. Findings suggest that social media acts as a critical resource for startups, offering opportunities for growth while requiring adaptability to navigate challenges like algorithm changes and content saturation. The study integrates theoretical frameworks such as the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities Framework to contextualize the findings and provide actionable insights for entrepreneurs. Future research directions include examining emerging platforms like Web3 and AI-driven social media strategies to further advance the understanding of digital entrepreneurship.
Intherapidlyevolvingdigitallandscape,freelancing platforms face significant challenges due to a lack of transparency,trust,andcentralizedcontrol.Thispaperpresents the design and implementation of a blockchain-powered web- based project management system integrated with a visual data dashboard. The proposed system leverages Ethereum smart contractstoensuresecure,tamper-proofuserregistration,project posting, bidding,assignment, work submission, payment release, and rating. The backend is developed using Django, while blockchain integration is achieved via Web3.py, enabling secure and transparent interactions. The platform provides real-time analyticsonusers,jobstatus,fundmovement,andratingsthrough a dashboard. The solution enhances trust, transparency,and de- centralization,provingeffectiveforfreelanceprojectecosystems
Blockchain technology and decentralised finance (DeFi) are reshaping financial services by eliminating intermediaries, automating transactions through smart contracts, and expanding global access to capital. Initially designed for cryptocurrencies, blockchain has evolved into a transformative ecosystem that optimises resource management and democratises finance. This study explores the impact of blockchain and DeFi on financial services, focusing on adoption opportunities and challenges. It addresses key gaps in the literature, particularly platform interoperability, security in decentralised environments, and adoption in emerging markets. Using the PRISMA 2020 methodology, the research ensures a rigorous selection and critical evaluation of scientific articles to identify trends, barriers, and potential developments. Findings indicate that blockchain and DeFi can enhance financial inclusion, improve transparency, and strengthen decentralisation. However, they also present challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, technical complexity, and security risks. Overcoming these obstacles requires innovative solutions and strategic collaboration among governments, financial institutions, and technology developers. By shedding light on these dynamics, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how blockchain and DeFi can reshape financial services, paving the way for a more inclusive, efficient, and secure financial ecosystem.
This study aimed to examine the role of blockchain technology in transforming digital marketing within the emerging Web3 environment, with a specific focus on its impact on consumer trust and marketing efficiency. The research primarily investigated the relationship between blockchain technology as the independent variable and digital marketing transformation as the dependent variable, while also considering consumer trust and marketing efficiency as key outcome variables. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected from 250 respondents, including digital platform users and marketing professionals, using a structured questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical analyses, including reliability, correlation, and regression, were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses and evaluate the relationships among variables. The findings revealed that blockchain technology had a significant positive impact on digital marketing transformation (β = 0.68, p < 0.001) and consumer trust (β = 0.72, p < 0.001). Digital marketing transformation significantly influenced marketing efficiency (β = 0.70, p < 0.001). The results also indicated that consumer trust played a mediating role in enhancing marketing efficiency, highlighting the importance of transparency and data security in digital environments. The study provides practical implications for organizations by emphasizing the adoption of blockchain-based marketing systems to improve transparency, reduce operational inefficiencies, and strengthen consumer trust. It also highlights the strategic importance of decentralized platforms in shaping the future of digital marketing. References Basal, M., & Şarkbay, Ö. F. (2026). Web3-driven digital marketing and consumer protection. 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Blockchain technology and smart contracts are revolutionizing legal and commercial transactions worldwide. These innovations enhance efficiency, automation, and security in contract execution while reducing reliance on intermediaries. However, their adoption presents legal challenges related to enforceability, regulatory oversight, and dispute resolution. This research examines the UAE's legal framework governing blockchain and smart contracts, analysing their recognition under contract and commercial law, as well as the roles of key regulatory UAE authorities, including the Securities and Commodities Authority (“SCA”) and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (“VARA”).
Blockchain technology stands at the forefront of transforming digital communication, addressing entrenched issues like data breaches, privacy erosion, and centralized control. This systematic literature review synthesizes insights from over 50 peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and case studies published between 2018 and 2025, focusing on blockchain's core principles and their application to secure messaging, decentralized social networks, IoT ecosystems, and telecommunications. Drawing on databases such as Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, and Scopus, we identify key benefits—decentralization for resilience, immutability for integrity, and cryptography for confidentiality—while critically examining barriers like scalability trilemma, regulatory conflicts, and user adoption hurdles. Emerging trends, including zero-knowledge proofs and modular architectures, signal a path toward scalable Web3 paradigms. The review concludes with societal implications for trust-building and data sovereignty, proposing research directions for hybrid models that balance innovation with compliance. This work underscores blockchain's potential to foster a user-empowered, equitable communication landscape.
Blockchain technology has been widely heralded as a transformative tool capable of establishing trust in digitized supply chains through cryptographic finance, immutability, and decentralized ledgers. However, empirical evidence and recent analyses suggest that these technological mechanisms alone are insufficient to generate holistic trust among supply chain stakeholders. This study critically examined why blockchain adoption often failed to produce sustained trust, despite enhancing transparency, traceability, and data integrity. A qualitative, theory-driven methodology was employed, analyzing peer-reviewed literature across supply chain management, financial technology, and digital governance domains. The findings revealed that trust remained deeply rooted in social, relational, and institutional dimensions, which blockchain technologies could not replace. Off-chain data dependencies, governance gaps, regulatory ambiguities, and power asymmetries emerged as key factors undermining trust formation. Furthermore, blockchain often displaced trust from human and institutional actors to opaque technical systems, reducing accountability and stakeholder confidence. The study concluded that blockchain should be conceptualized as a supportive infrastructure for trust rather than a substitute for relational and institutional mechanisms. Recommendations included integrating blockchain with hybrid governance models, legal frameworks, and inclusive participation strategies to enhance trust resilience. The study also identified future research directions focusing on cross-industry comparisons, socio-technical interactions, and emerging blockchain alternatives. These insights contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the socio-technical limits of blockchain in supply chain digitization and highlight the critical role of governance and institutional alignment in sustaining trust.
Blockchain technology has evolved from its initial application in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to a versatile decentralized infrastructure supporting decentralized finance (DeFi), digital identity systems, smart contracts, and Web3 ecosystems. Despite its transformative potential, the rapid expansion of blockchain platforms has significantly increased the security attack surface, exposing networks to threats such as double-spending, Sybil attacks, smart contract vulnerabilities, transaction laundering, and large-scale financial fraud. At the same time, the emergence of quantum computing introduces a fundamental challenge to classical cryptographic mechanisms particularly Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) and RSA that form the backbone of blockchain authentication and transaction verification. This paper presents a comprehensive study of Machine Learning (ML) techniques and Post-Quantum Cryptographic (PQC) frameworks for strengthening blockchain security and threat detection. The study reviews supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning models used for fraud detection, anomaly identification, smart contract vulnerability analysis, and blockchain transaction monitoring. In parallel, it examines quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms emerging from the NIST post-quantum standardization process, including lattice-based, hash-based, and code-based schemes, and evaluates their suitability for blockchain environments. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the limitations of ML-based security mechanisms and the practical challenges of integrating PQC into decentralized infrastructures, including scalability, key size overhead, and performance trade-offs. A comparative analysis highlights that ML enhances adaptive behavioral threat detection, while PQC ensures long-term cryptographic resilience against quantum attacks. Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of a hybrid ML–PQC security model that combines intelligent anomaly detection with quantum-resistant cryptographic protection. Finally, the paper identifies key research challenges and outlines future directions toward building scalable, adaptive, and quantum-secure blockchain ecosystems capable of supporting next-generation decentralized applications.
Vaishnavi S. Jadhav, Sakshi S. Niphade, S. S. Mahale
Secure data sharing has become a critical challenge in modern digital ecosystems due to increasing data breaches, lack of transparency, and dependence on centralized authorities. Traditional data-sharing mechanisms often suffer from single points of failure, unauthorized access, and limited trust among participating entities. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized, immutable, and cryptographically secure architecture, offers a promising solution to these challenges. This research paper explores the application of blockchain technology for secure data sharing, emphasizing its ability to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, transparency, and access control. The study examines how features such as distributed ledgers, smart contracts, and consensus mechanisms can be leveraged to manage data ownership, enforce access policies, and prevent tampering. Various blockchain-based data-sharing models are reviewed across domains such as healthcare, finance, and supply chain management. The paper also discusses key challenges, including scalability, privacy preservation, interoperability, and regulatory concerns. Finally, future research directions are highlighted to enhance the efficiency and practicality of blockchain-enabled secure datasharing systems
This study presents a blockchain-based enabling autonomous nursing professional development framework, known as BCeANPDF. The framework aims to enhance transparency, security, and professional autonomy in nursing credential management. It is grounded in the principles of competency-based human resource management. Blockchain and smart contract technologies are integrated to support independent recording, verification, and management of professional and non-professional credentials by nurses. At the same time, hospital human resource administrators continue to have the authority to conduct regulatory oversight and ensure compliance. The framework employs a three-layer architecture that includes controller, service, and repository components. These components coordinate access control, data processing, and blockchain-related operations. Seven smart contracts are designed within the framework. They automate credential ownership verification, credential updates, and compliance review processes. This design strengthens data integrity and reduces administrative workload. A prototype was implemented in a private blockchain environment to evaluate system performance. The results demonstrate stable and efficient operation. The average on-chain processing time per credential was 12.3 s. Median query latency ranged from 5 to 9 ms. These findings confirm that the framework achieves scalability and responsiveness comparable to Ethereum, while preserving data privacy and immutability. By combining decentralized trust mechanisms with credential management practices, the BCeANPDF framework offers a practical approach to supporting autonomous professional development. It also facilitates flexible management of the nursing workforce. Overall, the framework contributes to the development of transparent and competency-oriented healthcare institutions without increasing operational complexity.