ABSTRACT Efficient disaster response requires scalable, transparent and trustworthy resource management systems. However, centralized approaches frequently suffer from coordination delays, data tampering risks, limited transparency and single points of failure, reducing reliability during large‐scale crises. This study presents a decentralised blockchain‐based framework that integrates smart contracts, decentralised multi‐source oracles for Internet of Things (IoT)‐enabled field reporting, role‐based access control and adaptive urgency scoring to improve allocation prioritisation and trust calibration. The architecture follows a structured three‐tier design. The edge layer supports real‐time sensing and secure data offloading through the Inter‐Planetary File System (IPFS). The blockchain logic layer enforces operational policies, dynamic prioritisation, and reputation scoring using modular, gas‐efficient smart contracts. An integration/API layer ensures secure interoperability among emergency agencies and stakeholders. A hybrid blockchain model combines Ethereum Proof‐of‐Stake (PoS) for public transparency with a permissioned consortium chain for controlled governance. Natural Language Processing (NLP) derives urgency scores from textual disaster reports, while a dynamic supply‐demand aware algorithm adapts resource allocation in real time. Multi‐signature governance and reputation mechanisms further enhance accountability. Experimental evaluation on a simulated testnet demonstrates throughput up to 1000 Transactions Per Second (TPS), alongside measurable improvements in fairness, auditability and allocation efficiency.
A key scientific question underlying the blockchain ecosystem is to what extent the core security properties of the protocols hold when assuming rational validators in the presence of capable economic attackers. To what degree and at what cost can these systems be disrupted? In this thesis, I analyze the underlying economic security properties of three of the most fundamental decentralization consensus algorithms: proof of work (PoW), proof of stake (PoS), and oracle information aggregation. In Chapter 2 of this work, I counter a prominent narrative that PoW is inherently flawed in an environment in which double-spend attacks are possible. By considering counterattacks, I recover PoW robustness against reorganization attacks through a game-theoretic model. In particular, I consider hashrate markets as a potential vector of attack and show that PoW remains robust in this case. In Chapter 3 of this work, I show novel chain reorganization and finality-delay attacks on the PoS mechanism of Ethereum. These attacks are deviations from the ’honest’ staking strategy, and I show that for participants staking a substantial percentage of the network’s staked assets, these attacks can be cheap and destructive to the network. In Chapter 4 of this work, I design an incentive mechanism for the information aggregation of noisy signals that is highly resilient to bribery. I establish the asymptotic strength and limitations of this mechanism against various classes of bribery including an attacker able to condition bribes on individual reports and on the outcome of the information aggregation. I achieve strong protection even in the latter case. To do this, I assume the presence of a source of truth (SoT) that is prohibitively expensive for typical use but can be invoked infrequently. This robustness to bribes is achieved even while in equilibrium there is no invocation of the SoT.
Open access
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Game Theory and Applications
Advanced Research in Systems and Signal Processing
GLYPH is a transparent verification layer for Ethereum for trustless on-chain verification of heterogeneous proof systems. It unifies upstream SNARK and STARK settlement through a single packed arity-8 sumcheck verifier over p = 2^128 - 159, while preserving upstream assumptions. The design centers on a universal adapter surface, UCIR compilation, and a chain-bound artifact interface for stateless verification. Benchmark evidence in the whitepaper reports 29.45k total transaction gas in recorded testnet receipts. This record includes the whitepaper and the formal proof appendix.
Ensuring transparency, security, and privacy in agricultural food supply chains is critical for maintaining consumer trust, regulatory compliance, and data integrity. Traditional centralized traceability systems suffer from several limitations, including data tampering risks, single-point failures, and potential privacy leakage. To address these challenges, this research proposes a privacy-preserving blockchain-based traceability framework that integrates the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) with Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). The framework leverages the Ethereum blockchain for immutable record-keeping, while zk-SNARK-based proofs enable compliance verification without revealing sensitive underlying data. A prototype was implemented using Solidity smart contracts and Python-based zk-SNARK circuits. Experimental evaluation across varying record sizes, from 50 to 200, demonstrates high security and efficiency, achieving 100% success in detecting simulated tampering attempts. Performance metrics indicate a highly scalable system with an average end-to-end latency of approximately 0.33 seconds, rapid proof generation times of approximately 0.0002 seconds, and near-constant verification times averaging 0.027 seconds. Furthermore, the system maintains a consistent simulated transaction cost of 20.40$ per proof, regardless of the total records processed. Overall, the proposed approach provides a robust, scalable, and computationally efficient solution for modern agri- food supply chains, successfully balancing data confidentiality with rigorous cryptographic integrity.
Open access
Food Supply Chain Traceability
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and Hardware Security
When Ethereum (ETH) shifted from a Proof of Work (PoW) protocol to a Proof of Stake (PoS) protocol, not all users were enthused. We use Ethereum’s shift from PoW to PoS as a case study for the broader question of whether developers of a blockchain owe its members certain fiduciary or fiduciary-like duties. We argue that if done properly, in accordance to the rules governing the blockchain, then developers do not necessarily owe fiduciary responsibility to other members of the chain, but they nonetheless may owe fiduciary-like responsibilities to users inadvertently and negatively impacted. We argue these users may be entitled to an oppression claim akin to what minority shareholders may be entitled to in the corporate law context.
Nirmala Raju Kanti, D. G. Narayan, Pooja Shettar, P S Hiremath
Blockchain networks rely on consensus mechanisms to maintain security and efficiency. Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) is a widely adopted alternative to traditional Proof of Work (PoW) and Proof of Stake (PoS) due to its scalability. However, DPoS suffers from centralization risks, collusion, and the presence of unreliable validators, compromising network integrity. One approach to mitigating these issues is the downgrade method, which reduces the influence of dishonest validators over time by penalizing their stake or voting power. While this approach improves security, it still faces challenges related to manipulation and inefficiency. To address these limitations more effectively, we introduce Game Theory-based Delegated Proof of Stake (GT-DPoS), an advanced consensus framework that integrates strategic decision-making through game theory to optimize node selection and incentivization. GT-DPoS utilizes a two-stage evaluation mechanism based on Reputation Score (RS) and Trust Score (TS) to regulate node behavior, penalize malicious actors, and reward honest participation. In Stage 1, nodes are assessed based on RS, incorporating factors like stake, transaction efficiency, block contribution, and past misconduct. Nodes failing to meet the threshold are penalized, while eligible ones advance to second stage. Stage 2 evaluates TS, considering rewards, penalties, and community votes, refining the selection through a payoff-based model that ensures rational decision-making. Unlike the downgrade method, GT-DPoS provides a more dynamic and adaptive approach, ensuring continuous security enhancement without long-term inefficiencies. Experimental results demonstrate that GT-DPoS achieves faster block creation times compared to conventional DPoS, with up to 4.6% improvement at lower transaction loads and 1.2% at higher loads. By leveraging game-theoretic principles, GT-DPoS enhances decentralization, reduces transaction latency, and strengthens network security, making it a more effective and performance-optimized alternative to both traditional DPoS and downgrade-based approaches
The growth of the crypto markets has changed the investment environment in a profound manner by elevating cryptocurrencies from purely speculative assets to institutional-grade investments. The current paper evaluates the investment characteristics of Bitcoin and Ethereum, the most popular cryptocurrencies, based on the modern portfolio theory framework. According to the analysis carried out for 2020-2025, the Bitcoin asset demonstrates an impressive Sharpe ratio of 1.7, substantially exceeding that of the S&P 500 (0.54) and gold (0.48-0.54). In favorable market conditions, Ethereum outperforms Bitcoin in terms of risk-adjusted returns, exhibiting even better characteristics. The study highlights a change in the mechanism of price fluctuations in the market from the \\\"four-year cycle\\\" to the flow of institutional capital. At the same time, correlation analysis shows that despite the absence of high correlation of these assets with other asset classes over the long term, the correlation between the two increases under market pressure. As a result, 1-4% of portfolio weight can be safely allocated to each asset, depending on the investment strategy.
The convergence of fundamental blockchain technology with the Ethereum network has ushered in a new era of decentralized innovation, moving beyond simple cryptocurrency transactions to a programmable, trustless ecosystem. By introducing smart contracts—self-executing, automated agreements—and the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), Ethereum acts as a decentralized \\\"world computer\\\" that allows for the creation of decentralized applications (dApps) across numerous sectors, including finance, healthcare, and supply chain management. In recent years, blockchain technology has gained significant attention for its potential in various domains. However, the lack of interoperability between different blockchain platforms poses a significant challenge in meeting the demands of the modern world. To address this issue, our research focuses on unlocking blockchain interconnectivity through smart contract-driven cross-chain communication. We aim to contribute to the development of a model that enhances the functionality and usability of blockchain technology. To achieve interoperability, we explore various options and leverage the power of smart contracts.
Benito Samuel López Razo, José Israel Campero Domínguez, Victor Hugo de la O. Martinez, Nicolás Trejo de la Cruz
Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación es desarrollar un sistema basado en tecnología Blockchain y la red Ethereum para la emisión y validación de certificados digitales en una institución de educación superior, garantizando seguridad, trazabilidad e inmutabilidad mediante contratos inteligentes. Marco teórico: La investigación se fundamenta en el uso de Blockchain como una tecnología distribuida que permite el registro transparente y seguro de transacciones, aplicando los estándares X.509 y ERC-721 para la autenticación y unicidad de los certificados digitales. Método: Se diseñó un prototipo funcional utilizando el lenguaje de programación Python, la biblioteca web3.py y la infraestructura de Ethereum. El sistema integra firmas digitales y códigos QR para facilitar la verificación en tiempo real. Resultados y discusión: Los resultados preliminares muestran un uso promedio de gas de 221,189 y un consumo de 0.00442378 ETH por transacción, con una reducción del 43% en los costos de verificación respecto a sistemas tradicionales. Esto demuestra la viabilidad técnica y económica del modelo propuesto. Implicaciones de la investigación: El sistema puede aplicarse en contextos educativos e industriales, fortaleciendo la confianza en la emisión y validación de documentos digitales. Originalidad/Valor: La propuesta contribuye al campo de la certificación digital al integrar estándares abiertos y contratos inteligentes, ofreciendo una solución escalable, segura y de bajo costo.
Este estudo analisa a arquitetura da interoperabilidade no ecossistema <b>Ethereum</b>, investigando como a padronização de interfaces e os mecanismos de comunicação entre contratos sustentam a natureza compostável da <b>Web3</b>. A pesquisa detalha a evolução dos padrões de tokens, partindo do <b>ERC-20</b> para ativos fungíveis, passando pelo <b>ERC-721</b> para ativos não-fungíveis (NFTs), até o advento do <b>ERC-1155</b>, que permite a gestão multi-token em um único contrato, otimizando custos de transação (<i>gas</i>).Além dos padrões, o texto explora os mecanismos de comunicação <i>cross-contract</i>, como o delegatecall, essenciais para a criação de sistemas modulares e contratos atualizáveis. No entanto, a obra ressalta que a interoperabilidade amplia a superfície de ataque, destacando a vulnerabilidade de <b>reentrância</b> e a importância do padrão <i>Checks-Effects-Interactions</i> para mitigar riscos financeiros. Por fim, o trabalho discute fronteiras emergentes, como o padrão <b>ERC-6551</b> (tokens vinculados a contas) e a necessidade de soluções seguras para a interoperabilidade entre diferentes blockchains (<i>cross-chain</i>).<br>
Bharathi Panduri, Lohith Matcha, Sai Darshan Lingamanthula, Vineet Katta
Pharmaceutical providers are now facing problems such as counterfeit drugs, lack of openness, different data systems, and weaker regulation. As a result of these shortcomings, medicinal products may be unsafe for patients and this can damage the public's trust in these products. Traditional centralized structures do not have the necessary traceability, security, and resilience for effective management of supply chains. In the context of Industry 4.0, there is an increasing shift toward digital transformation and decentralized industrial systems to improve transparency and automation. This paper describes PharmaChain, a DApp created using blockchain, which is intended to add transparency and trust to the way drugs are managed in the supply chain. With the help of Ethereum and Solidity-based smart contracts, PharmaChain develops a permanent record of every step in the supply chain, starting with buying raw goods and finishing with delivering them to end-users. The platform uses role-based access control, such as manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and regulatory bodies. With a modern MERN stack, PharmaChain ensures the UI is flexible and works well on any device, and Web3.js and MetaMask handle the connection to blockchain on the frontend. The proposed system aligns with Industry 4.0 principles by enabling secure, automated, and decentralized traceability across the pharmaceutical supply chain. Smart contracts significantly reduce the involvement of intermediaries and manual work in the process.
Traditional electoral systems exhibit critical vulnerabilities including vote manipulation, centralized points of failure, and compromised transparency that undermine democratic integrity. This research presents BLOCKELECT, a decentralised blockchain-based secure voting system designed to address these fundamental challenges. The system employs Ethereum smart contracts written in Solidity to enforce immutable voting rules, Web3.js for blockchain integration, and MetaMask wallet authentication for secure voter verification. The proposed architecture implements dual interfaces for voters and electoral commissions, with distributed consensus mechanisms ensuring real-time transaction validation. Smart contracts automatically enforce electoral rules while maintaining cryptographic immutability of all voting transactions. The decentralised design eliminates single points of failure by distributing vote storage and validation across multiple network nodes. System validation employed comprehensive testing including unit, integration, system, and security testing methodologies. Results demonstrate successful prevention of vote tampering, elimination of double voting, and provision of transparent, auditable election results. Implementation utilised Truffle framework, Ganache blockchain simulation, and Node.js back-end services following an Agile Prototype-based Iterative Development methodology. This research demonstrates the feasibility of blockchain technology in creating trustworthy electoral systems, indicating that blockchain-based voting represents a viable solution for enhancing democratic processes while addressing persistent challenges of electoral fraud and lack of public confidence in traditional voting mechanisms.Traditional electoral systems exhibit critical vulnerabilities including vote manipulation, centralized points of failure, and compromised transparency that undermine democratic integrity. This research presents BLOCKELECT, a decentralised blockchain-based secure voting system designed to address these fundamental challenges. The system employs Ethereum smart contracts written in Solidity to enforce immutable voting rules, Web3.js for blockchain integration, and MetaMask wallet authentication for secure voter verification. The proposed architecture implements dual interfaces for voters and electoral commissions, with distributed consensus mechanisms ensuring real-time transaction validation. Smart contracts automatically enforce electoral rules while maintaining cryptographic immutability of all voting transactions. The decentralised design eliminates single points of failure by distributing vote storage and validation across multiple network nodes. System validation employed comprehensive testing including unit, integration, system, and security testing methodologies. Results demonstrate successful prevention of vote tampering, elimination of double voting, and provision of transparent, auditable election results. Implementation utilised Truffle framework, Ganache blockchain simulation, and Node.js back-end services following an Agile Prototype-based Iterative Development methodology. This research demonstrates the feasibility of blockchain technology in creating trustworthy electoral systems, indicating that blockchain-based voting represents a viable solution for enhancing democratic processes while addressing persistent challenges of electoral fraud and lack of public confidence in traditional voting mechanisms.
Alireza Kavousi, Duc V. Le, Philipp Jovanovic, George Danezis
Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) is a crucial challenge in blockchains and cryptocurrencies. A principal countermeasure is using encrypted mempools to hide the transaction payloads until they are committed in a block. However, the existing approaches based on encrypted mempools remain vulnerable to metadata leakage and may not provide sufficient mitigation against block producers due to their sole control in block preparation. In this paper, we propose techniques that utilize randomized permutation on the committed block, offering a multi-layer solution. With a focus on proof-of-stake (PoS) committee-based consensus, we then introduce BlindPerm, a framework that enhances an encrypted mempool with permutation and present various optimizations. Notably, we propose a construction where this enhancement comes at essentially no overhead by piggybacking on the encrypted mempool and without relying on any external entity such as randomness beacon. Further, we illustrate the effectiveness of our solutions by running simulations using historical Ethereum data.
System based on blockchain technology and smart contracts. The system aims to address the growing problem of managing and transferring digital assets such as cryptocurrency wallets, domains, cloud storage, NFTs, and gaming assets after the owner’s death. The proposed solution introduces a Dead Man’s Switch mechanism, where users are required to perform periodic check-ins. In case of prolonged inactivity, the system automatically triggers a smart contract that securely transfers access to designated heirs. The system leverages blockchain technology to ensure transparency, immutability, and security, while decentralized storage (IPFS) is used to protect sensitive data through encryption. The platform integrates modern technologies including Ethereum, Solidity, Web3.js, and decentralized storage solutions to provide a fully automated, secure, and trustless inheritance process without relying on centralized authorities or complex legal procedures. This work was conducted at Arab International University (AIU), Syria. The official website of the university is: https://www.aiu.edu.sy
Reentrancy remains one of the most critical vulnerabilities affecting Ethereum smart contracts. While many existing analysis tools focus on detecting classical single-function reentrancy, more complex forms such as cross-function reentrancy are harder to identify because they depend on execution semantics and interactions between multiple functions. In this work, we study reentrancy at the level of Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) execution traces. We extend the TxSpector framework with new Datalog-based detection rules designed to capture cross-function reentrancy patterns. To support this analysis, we also modernize the trace extraction component by adapting it to recent versions of the Ethereum client and updated EVM instructions. The proposed approach is evaluated on real Ethereum on-chain transaction traces. The results show that our method is able to detect cross-function reentrancy behaviors that are not captured by the original TxSpector rules, demonstrating the effectiveness of pattern-based logic detection at the EVM execution level.
Public distributed ledgers enforce integrity through radical transparency, creating tension with data minimization principles required for regulatory compliance. While Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) offer a theoretical privacy solution, existing constructions often overlook adversarial constraints in smart contract environments. Specifically, the asynchronous decoupling of off-chain proof generation from on-chain submission introduces front-running and proof-reuse risks in public mempools. In this work, we formalize Selective Disclosure Authorization Schemes (SDAS), a cryptographic primitive for granular and revocable compliance checks on public ledgers without revealing the underlying witness. We define a security model for SDAS, introducing Ledger-Bound Attribute Unlinkability and Context-Aware Sender Binding to capture how valid proofs remain bound to their intended authorization context. To validate sender binding, we present ZK-Compliance, an Ethereum-based instantiation that operationalizes a user-controlled "Grant, Verify, Revoke" lifecycle. We implement the sender-binding component using a 14-constraint Circom circuit that anchors the zero-knowledge proof to the executing on-chain sender address. Our Sepolia evaluation confirms practical viability: browser-based proof generation executes in under 200 ms, and on-chain verification costs 240,512 gas, neutralizing proof reuse by different callers while preserving strict attribute privacy.