The unprecedented rise of Bitcoin has marked a significant milestone in the evolution of decentralized finance (DeFi). Despite Bitcoin's groundbreaking contributions, it faces inherent challenges due to its reliance on the Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) model, which limits its capabilities in executing complex transactions and embedding diverse data types. To overcome these limitations, Ordinals and Inscriptions have been introduced, allowing extensive data and information embedding within Bitcoin transactions. Building upon these advancements, the recent development of the BRC-20 standard leverages these capabilities to introduce fungible tokens on the Bitcoin network. However, these innovations have yet to be fully integrated into the broader blockchain and DeFi ecosystems, and they still face challenges related to interoperability, scalability, and user perception. In this paper, we explore the intricacies of Ordinal, Inscription, and BRC protocols to address these challenges by analyzing their functionalities, operational methodologies, and potential applications. We offer a detailed examination of the challenges and future prospects, shedding light on the unexplored potential of these technologies in transforming Bitcoin transactions and expanding its role in the DeFi space. By thoroughly analyzing these new developments, we aim to bridge the gap in current academic research and offer valuable insights for developers, investors, and enthusiasts. This paper serves as a foundation for future innovations, paving the way for more robust, scalable, and user-friendly applications in the DeFi and Web3 landscape.
Blockchain technology is emerging as a transformative force in the banking industry, offering decentralized, secure, and transparent solutions for financial transactions and operations. By eliminating intermediaries and enabling real-time data sharing across distributed ledgers, blockchain enhances efficiency in processes such as cross-border payments, smart contracts, KYC, and fraud prevention. Major banks and financial institutions are increasingly adopting blockchain to reduce costs and improve trust. However, challenges such as scalability, data privacy, lack of standardization, and integration with legacy systems hinder its full-scale deployment. Furthermore, global regulatory uncertainties and varying compliance requirements pose additional barriers. As regulators and central banks explore frameworks like Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and regulatory sandboxes, a balanced approach is essential to foster innovation while ensuring security and consumer protection. This paper analyzes the key opportunities, challenges, and evolving regulatory landscape of blockchain in banking, highlighting its potential to reshape the financial ecosystem
Ejiroghene Amanda Onohwakpo, Ugochi Linda Onyeanuforo
This study examined cryptocurrency adoption patterns across developing economies using comprehensive data from 2018-2021. Through analysis of 45 developing countries, we identify key determinants of crypto adoption including financial inclusion gaps, currency stability, regulatory frameworks, and technological infrastructure. Our findings revealed that countries with higher inflation rates, lower banking penetration, and more favourable regulatory environments demonstrate significantly higher cryptocurrency adoption rates. The study contributes to understanding digital finance evolution in emerging markets and provides policy implications for fostering inclusive financial systems.
ABSTRACT This paper proposes a solution for the issue of silent shareholders lacking influence over company decisions and not receiving adequate compensation. Thus, we adopt Palmon, Kleinman, and Medinets’s (2022) “capital contract” framework and extend it by integrating smart contract functionality. This study then introduces a prototype to demonstrate how this enhanced framework can be implemented through blockchain-based smart contracts. By linking silent shareholders’ dividends to executive compensation, these smart contracts enhance the trustworthiness and transparency of the compensation processes for executives and shareholders. What is more, blockchain-based smart contracts automate the contract terms, potentially reducing the need for intermediaries to monitor managerial actions. Also, smart contracts are flexible to meet diverse reporting requirements and adapt to the unique characteristics of a particular company. Data Availability: All data used in this study are available in the manuscript. JEL Classifications: M40; O33.
Ronald Ravinesh Kumar, Hossein Ghanbari, Peter Josef Stauvermann
The market for digital assets, and more specifically cryptocurrencies, is growing, although their adoption in small island countries remains absent. This paper explores the potential benefits of integrating cryptocurrencies into portfolios alongside stocks, with a focus on Fiji’s stock market. This is the first study on a small market like Fiji, which emphasizes the role of cryptocurrencies in portfolio management. We analyze the outcomes (returns and risks) of combining cryptocurrencies with stocks using 12 different techniques. We use monthly stock returns data of 18 companies listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange from Aug-2019 to Jun-2025 (71 months) and nine cryptocurrencies from Sept-2019 to Jun-2025 (70 months). Our main analysis shows that only one cryptocurrency, albeit with a small exposure, consistently appears in the stock-cryptocurrency portfolios in the 12 methods. Using the return-to-risk ratio across methods as a guide, we find that the stocks-cryptocurrencies portfolio based on EQW, MinVar, MaxSharpe, MinSemVar, MaxDiv, MaxDeCorr, MaxRMD, and MaxASR offers better outcomes than the stock-only portfolios. Using high returns as a guide, we find that six out of 12 methods (EQW, MaxSharpe, MaxSort, MaxCEQ, MaxOmega, and MaxUDVol) support the stocks-cryptocurrencies portfolios. Portfolios satisfying both conditions (high return-risk ratio and high return) are supported by the EQW and MaxSharpe portfolios. The consistency of assets in both stock and stock−cryptocurrency portfolios is further confirmed by 24-month out-of-sample forecasts and Monte Carlo simulations, although the latter supports small exposures in two out of the nine cryptocurrencies. Based on the results, we conclude that a small exposure to certain cryptocurrencies can strengthen diversification and improve potential returns.
Iryna Dashko, Олександр Череп, Любомир Михайліченко
The article comprehensively examines cryptocurrencies as a strategic tool for transforming the investment environment in the context of digitalization of the global economy. The current state of the crypto market is analyzed, key trends in its evolution are identified, and the role of digital assets in the formation of new investment models is characterized. Particular attention is paid to determining the investment potential of cryptocurrencies in the long term, taking into account such advantages as decentralization, market openness, technological innovation and accessibility. The author substantiates the concept of “crypto-horizon” - a new investment paradigm that combines a strategic vision of digital finance development with an understanding of the risks and prospects of cryptocurrencies. The author considers the importance of this concept in the formation of a new type of investor capable of operating in the digital economy, effectively managing risks and using innovative financial instruments. The paper also focuses on the key challenges of the crypto market: high volatility, legal uncertainty, information asymmetry, and limited financial literacy. The SWOT analysis made it possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses of crypto investing, as well as promising areas for the development of digital finance. The importance of state regulation, creation of a regulatory framework, development of digital finance infrastructure and raising public awareness in the field of investment is determined. The author emphasizes the need to form an effective regulatory framework for the integration of cryptocurrencies into the financial system. The role of public policy, educational initiatives, and infrastructure solutions in increasing confidence in digital assets is shown. It is substantiated that successful implementation of the “crypto-horizon” concept is possible only if there is a synergy of technology, regulation and investment culture. As a result, the authors conclude that cryptocurrencies are already playing the role of a digital key to the investment future, and their competent integration into national and international financial systems will be the key to the formation of an innovative, flexible and accessible investment ecosystem for the general population.
The concept of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) has introduced a novel paradigm in organizational governance, characterized by more collaborative decision-making. However, the lack of established organizational frameworks for DAOs presents significant challenges to their constitution, stability, and longevity. Aiming to address this shortcoming, this paper presents a conceptual framework to guide the design of the community governance structure of DAOs. To achieve this aim, we employed two complementary methods: firstly, we conducted a systematic literature review about DAOs and community governance; secondly, we conducted an analysis of the governance methods employed by five DAOs operating in public blockchain ecosystems. The proposed framework provides a valuable tool for DAO founders, developers, and community members to design and implement effective governance structures and contributes to the understanding of DAO governance and further research.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) represents the new generation of blockchain financial services by developing an open-access financial model without banking or lending institution intermediaries. However, DeFi's open feature threatens its security, making it vulnerable and a target for different attack types. In this systematic review, we present the security of DeFi by selecting fifteen studies from 2020 to 2024 to determine and display the security solutions' effectiveness in identifying the attacks, focusing on various DeFi components such as smart contracts, DEX, AMM, governance, AMM-based DEX, and smart contracts with (DEX, Oracle); detecting different kinds of attacks (e.g., price manipulation, Oracle manipulation, flash loan) using detection tools (e.g., DeFort, CRPWarner, FORAY); we find out that 40% of the selected studies focus on Oracle manipulation attack, 33.33% for price manipulation and flash loan attacks separately, followed by 13.33% for (MEV, rug pull, front-running, Token Leakage, and deep logical bugs), 6.67% for (EEV, reentrancy, sandwich, access control, and state derailment defects). We compare the studies based on the attack type that they detected using four state-of-the-art types of research, such as DeFiScope, FlashSyn, SecPLF, and DeFiGuard; this indicates the concentration of the trend studies is on accuracy and combining AI in DeFi security, or aggregating the existing tools with it, giving an overview of DeFi components' security, underlining the gaps in the attack types that future research can address to build more robust, trustworthy, and secure DeFi systems.
The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology represents a paradigm shift in the financial industry, promising to unlock unprecedented levels of efficiency, security, and automation. This paper explores the synergistic relationship between AI and blockchain, with a particular focus on their applications within the burgeoning field of Decentralized Finance (DeFi). We analyze the technical integration of these two transformative technologies, examining how AI can enhance blockchain's capabilities and how blockchain can provide a trusted environment for AI-driven processes. The paper investigates a range of applications, including AI-enhanced trading, autonomous financial agents, and cross-border payments, while also addressing the critical challenges related to security, trust, and regulation. By synthesizing insights from a broad range of academic literature, including foundational and recent works, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of AI-blockchain integration in DeFi and identifies key areas for future research. We argue that the fusion of AI and blockchain is not merely an incremental improvement but a fundamental evolution that will reshape the future of financial markets.
Eyal Briman, Nimrod Talmon, Angela Kreitenweis, Muhammad Idrees
Abstract The Optimism Retroactive Project Funding (RetroPGF) is a key initiative within the blockchain ecosystem that retroactively rewards projects deemed valuable to the Ethereum and Optimism communities. Managed by the Optimism Collective, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), RetroPGF represents a large-scale experiment in decentralized governance. Funding rewards are distributed in OP tokens, the native digital currency of the ecosystem. As of this writing, four funding rounds have been completed, collectively allocating over $100M, with an additional $1.3B reserved for future rounds. However, we identify significant shortcomings in the current allocation system, underscoring the need for improved governance mechanisms given the scale of funds involved. Leveraging computational social choice techniques and insights from multiagent systems, we propose improvements to the voting process by recommending the adoption of a utilitarian moving phantoms mechanism [1]. This mechanism was originally introduced by Freeman et al. [1], is designed to enhance social welfare (using the $$\ell _1$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msub> <mml:mi>ℓ</mml:mi> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> </mml:msub> </mml:math> norm) while satisfying strategyproofness–two key properties aligned with the application’s governance requirements. Our analysis provides a formal framework for designing improved funding mechanisms for DAOs, contributing to the broader discourse on decentralized governance and public goods allocation.
Dramatic price swings and the possibility of extreme returns have made Bitcoin a hot topic of interest for investors and researchers alike. With the help of advanced neural network models including CNN, RCNN, and LSTM networks, this paper has delved deep into the intricacies of Bitcoin price behavior. We will study different time intervals—close-to-close, close-to-open, open-to-close, and day-to-day—to find a pattern that we can use to develop an investment strategy. The average volatility over a year, six months, and three months is compared with the predictive power of volatility versus a traditional buy-and-hold strategy. Our findings point out the strengths and weaknesses of each neural network model and provide useful insights into optimizing cryptocurrency portfolios. This study contributes to the literature on the price prediction and volatility analysis of cryptocurrencies, thus providing useful information to both researchers and investors to execute strategic steps within the volatile cryptocurrency market.
Purpose – This study aims to analyze the controversy surrounding cryptocurrency from the perspectives of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), focusing on their respective fatwas, the underlying juridical argumentation, and the social and economic implications of these religious rulings in Indonesia.Methodology – Employing a qualitative normative legal approach, the research conducts a comprehensive document analysis of official fatwas issued by Muhammadiyah and NU, complemented by secondary sources such as academic articles, news reports, and government regulations related to cryptocurrency in Indonesia.Findings – Both Muhammadiyah and NU consistently declare crypto-currencies haram (forbidden) primarily because of Islamic legal principles prohibiting gharar (excessive uncertainty), maisir (gambling), and the lack of state sanctions and consumer protection. While sharing this conclusion, the two organizations differ in their juridical methodologies, with NU exhibiting more contextual flexibility through internal debates and regional councils. Implications – The fatwas serves as authoritative guidance shaping Muslim consumer choices and government regulations, reinforcing Islamic ethical standards in financial transactions. However, they also create tension between technological innovation and religious compliance, posing challenges to fintech adoption and inclusive economic growth. The findings suggest the need for ongoing dialogue between scholars, regulators, and industry stakeholders to reconcile Sharia compliance with digital financial innovation.Originality – This study provides an original contribution by offering a comparative, in-depth analysis of the legal reasoning within the Muhammadiyah and NU fatwas on cryptocurrency, linking doctrinal argumentation to broader socioeconomic outcomes. It fills a gap in the existing literature that mostly catalogs fatwa content without examining their interpretive nuances and practical impacts in Indonesia’s unique socio-religious context.
Benjamin Kraner, Luca Pennella, Nicolò Vallarano, Claudio J. Tessone
We introduce a micro-velocity framework for analysing the on-chain circulation of Lidos liquid-staking tokens, stETH, and its wrapped ERC-20 form, wstETH. By reconstructing full transfer and share-based accounting histories, we compute address-level velocities and decompose them into behavioural components. Despite their growing importance, the micro-level monetary dynamics of LSTs remain largely unexplored. Our data reveal persistently high velocity for both tokens, reflecting intensive reuse within DeFi. Yet activity is highly concentrated: a small cohort of large addresses, likely institutional accounts, are responsible for most turnover, while the rest of the users remain largely passive. We also observe a gradual transition in user behavior, characterized by a shift toward wstETH, the non-rebasing variant of stETH. This shift appears to align with DeFi composability trends, as wstETH is more frequently deployed across protocols such as AAVE, Spark, Balancer, and SkyMoney. To make the study fully reproducible, we release (i) an open-source pipeline that indexes event logs and historical contract state, and (ii) two public datasets containing every Transfer and TransferShares record for stETH and wstETH through 2024-11-08. This is the first large-scale empirical characterisation of liquid-staking token circulation. Our approach offers a scalable template for monitoring staking asset flows and provides new, open-access resources to the research community.
The integration of blockchain technology into healthcare systems has emerged as a technical solution for enhancing data security, protecting privacy, and improving interoperability. Blockchain-based smart contracts offer reliability, transparency, and efficiency in healthcare services, making them a focal point of many studies. However, challenges such as scalability, regulatory compliance, and interoperability continue to limit their widespread adoption. This study conducts a comprehensive literature review to assess blockchain-driven health data management, focusing on the classification of blockchain-based smart contracts in health policy and the health protocols and standards applicable to blockchain-based smart contracts. This review includes 80 core studies published between 2019 and 2025, identified through searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using the PRISMA method. Risk of bias and methodological quality were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. The findings highlight the potential of blockchain-enabled smart contracts in health policy management, emphasizing their advantages, limitations, and implementation challenges. Additionally, the research underscores their transformative impact on digital health policies in ensuring data integrity, enhancing patient autonomy, and fostering a more resilient healthcare ecosystem. Recent advancements in quantum technologies are also considered as they present both novel opportunities and emerging threats to the future security and design of healthcare blockchain systems.
Pardomuan Pardosi, Tussi Sulistyowati, Khairil Anwar, Maria Yovita R Pandin · 5 authors
Background. This research explores global studies on crypto asset audits in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) from 2021 to 2025 through a systematic literature review (SLR) approach, highlighting technological advancements like machine learning and hybrid analytics that enhance audit accuracy, fraud detection, and scalability. Purpose. Auditing practices have expanded to include smart contracts, compliance, security, and environmental audits. However, challenges persist, such as the lack of global regulatory standards, decentralized control, security risks, and instability within DeFi protocols. Method. Despite advancements, effective audits in DeFi require aligning technological innovation with adaptable regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainability and trust. Results. Managerially, DeFi platforms should integrate emerging technologies into auditing practices and collaborate with regulators to address compliance gaps, particularly in anti-money laundering (AML) and transparency. Conclusion. Future research should focus on developing global DeFi regulations, exploring decentralized auditing methods, and investigating the impact of new financial systems like the metaverse on auditing practices.
The FinTech revolution is changing the way banks work around the world by combining blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to make safe, efficient, and customer-focused financial environments. A systematic review of AI blockchain convergence in modern banking, emphasizing its transformative impact on security, operational efficiency, and financial innovation. AI enables intelligent decision-making through applications such as fraud detection, credit risk assessment, algorithmic trading, and predictive analytics, while blockchain provides decentralized, tamper-resistant, and auditable transaction infrastructure. Digital currencies, asset tokenization, decentralized finance (DeFi), smart contracts, and automated regulatory compliance are some of the new FinTech applications driven by their synergy. This integration also supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) by facilitating real-time fund allocation, sustainable investment tracking, and transparent auditing. Despite its significant potential persisting, including regulatory ambiguity, scalability limitations, cybersecurity risks, and data privacy concerns, which limit large-scale adoption in banking systems. By synthesizing and analyzing key technological trends, the current capabilities of AI–blockchain integration in FinTech that the synergistic convergence of AI, blockchain, and financial technologies is a critical enabler for next-generation digital banking, promoting financial inclusion, resilience, and sustainable economic growth
Dr. Asmita Khanna, Nidhi Khanna, Anushka Keshari, Pooja Singh
In recent years, environmental sustainability has emerged as a pressing global concern, calling for innovative financing mechanisms to support grassroots green initiatives. Crowdfunding, as a FinTech innovation, offers a decentralized and participatory platform to fund such projects by engaging the general public. This study investigates consumer perception regarding the role of crowdfunding in financing environmental projects, with a focus on awareness, trust, transparency, and willingness to contribute. The research adopts a quantitative approach using a structured questionnaire distributed among Indian consumers. A sample of 200 respondents was collected via online and offline surveys. The data was analyzed using SPSS, employing tools such as descriptive statistics, reliability tests (Cronbach’s alpha), Pearson’s Correlation, Chi-Square, Multiple Linear Regression analysis to identify key variables influencing consumer willingness to fund environmental initiatives. The findings indicate that trust in crowdfunding platforms, perceived impact of environmental projects, and transparency in fund utilization are the most significant predictors of willingness to contribute. While awareness of crowdfunding platforms is moderate, actual participation remains low, highlighting the gap between intention and action. The study offers valuable insights for crowdfunding platforms, environmental NGOs, and policymakers. It emphasizes the need for enhanced digital literacy, platform credibility, and transparent communication strategies to mobilize funds for environmental sustainability. This paper contributes to the limited empirical literature linking green crowdfunding and consumer behavior in the Indian context.
Introduction The initiation of blockchain has brought about revolutionary changes across multiple industries, including finance. This study analyzes published research related to existing financial reporting and audit practices relevant to the implementation and efficacy of blockchain technology. The decentralized, immutable, and transparent blockchain ledger is set to change traditional practices by enhancing accuracy, reducing fraud, and ensuring real-time data accessibility. Methods This study identifies and measures the factors influencing blockchain implementation in specific auditing areas, particularly financial reporting. This research analyzed accounting professionals’ awareness of information and communication technologies (ICT), data security, data privacy, and training among accounting professionals. Hence, the study conducted a survey that targeted accounting practitioners, chartered accountants, financial analysts, and auditors with the aim of analyzing and testing hypothesized relationships using structural equation modeling in AMOS software. Results It presents an empirical analysis that examines the extent to which these factors influence blockchain technology implementation in financial reporting and auditing. We found a significant influence of blockchain technology use on the practices of financial reporting and auditing, leading to enhanced accuracy and transparency, reduced audit time, and increased trust in financial reports. Key findings indicate that while blockchain technology offers significant advantages, widespread implementation faces hurdles such as regulatory compliance, technological integration, and stakeholder acceptance. Discussion Researchers can use these findings to determine potential areas for further research. In addition, this research provides valuable information to practitioners in the field, academics, industry professionals, and policymakers considering the integration of blockchain technology with financial reporting and auditing.
Brett Martin, Polymeros Chrysochou, Carolyn Strong, Adam J. Mills
ABSTRACT This research note reviews research published in Psychology & Marketing in response to our call for papers for cryptocurrency research. Cryptocurrency is an area worth trillions of dollars and it offers a rich field of potential research topics for consumer psychology. Based on the articles by scholars published in Psychology & Marketing , we present a synthesis of the literature surrounding consumer behavior and cryptocurrency and propose a conceptual model to guide future research. This conceptual model organizes the literature by antecedents, process, and outcomes. In addition, we present a summary table of contributions from the research and offer a range of future research opportunities to be explored.
This article proposes a novel blockchain-based architecture for cross-border payments that integrates self-sovereign identity (SSI) and zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to address the fundamental challenges of traditional systems. The proposed framework enables near-instant settlement while preserving privacy and ensuring regulatory compliance by design. By layering an identity infrastructure with ZKP-gated smart-contract escrows and regulatory oracles, the system allows participants to prove compliance with jurisdiction-specific requirements without revealing sensitive personal data. The architecture comprises three interconnected layers — identity, value, and compliance — that work together to streamline remittances, business transactions, and international payroll processes. Comparative analysis demonstrates significant advantages over both correspondent banking and current blockchain networks in terms of settlement speed, transaction costs, fraud prevention, and automated compliance. While the approach faces challenges, including network adoption barriers, technical scalability, and governance complexity, this study outlines promising directions for future development, particularly in the context of emerging central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and regulated stablecoins.
Michael Demmler, Gibrán Aguilar Rangel, Rodrigo Cuéllar Ramírez
This study investigates on the relationship between cryptocurrencies and financial inclusion in Mexico. Using a basic, descriptive and qualitative research design, first a brief literature review is conducted in order to analyze the impact of cryptocurrencies on financial inclusion according to the state-of-the-art opinion of other researchers on the topic. Secondly, aiming to improve the understanding of the potential that cryptocurrencies may have for financial inclusion in Mexico, a digital questionnaire is applied to a sample of 415 individuals. Main results of the literature review show that fintech and blockchain technology including cryptocurrencies have the potential to improve the situation of financial inclusion, especially in developing countries. The conducted survey on consumer perceptions of cryptocurrencies reveals that there exists an important growth potential for the use of cryptocurrencies in Mexico. However, security issues, distrust, a lack of technological and financial education and deficient regulation are major obstacles on the way.
Blockchain sharding has emerged as a promising solution to address scalability and performance challenges in distributed ledger systems. In the sharded blockchain, yanking can reduce the communication overhead of smart contracts between shards. However, the existing smart contract yanking methods are inefficient, increasing the latency and reducing the throughput. In this paper, we propose a novel DRL-Based Cross-Shard Smart Contract Yanking (DCSCY) framework which intelligently balances three critical factors: the number of smart contracts processed, node waiting time, and yanking costs. The proposed framework dynamically optimizes the relocation trajectory of smart contracts across shards. This reduces the communication overhead and enables adaptive, function-level migrations to enhance the execution efficiency. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach reduces the cross-shard transaction latency and enhances smart contract utilization. Compared to random-based and order-based methods, the DCSCY approach achieves a performance improvement of more than 95%.
This paper investigates the unresolved intellectual property challenges posed by non-fungible tokens (NFTs), a rapidly growing class of digital assets that blend decentralized technologies with creative content distribution. Despite widespread adoption across art, entertainment, and gaming sectors, the legal infrastructure surrounding NFTs remains fragmented, creating uncertainty for creators, buyers, and platforms alike. The objective of this study is to critically evaluate existing theoretical models—including property-based, contract-based, and provenance-centered approaches—and assess their adequacy in governing NFT-related rights and obligations. Methodologically, the paper employs a comparative legal analysis of current NFT licensing practices, supported by interdisciplinary review of blockchain architecture, smart contract functionalities, and relevant international IP frameworks. Based on legal theory, technical standards, and case studies, the paper identifies critical gaps in enforceability, rights attribution, and jurisdictional clarity. In response, the study proposes a hybrid legal-technical framework comprising seven interconnected components: Smart Licensing Infrastructure (SLI), an On-Chain Provenance and Rights Registry, Embedded Royalty Clauses with Legal Backing, Token-Linked Legal Contracts (TLCs), along with dispute resolution and jurisdictional compatibility. These elements collectively aim to bridge decentralized code execution with enforceable legal standards, facilitating clearer licensing arrangements, more reliable royalty enforcement, and scalable dispute resolution mechanisms. It presents a novel blueprint for technical capabilities of NFTs with the foundational requirements of intellectual property law. By incorporating legal metadata, verifiable authorship records, and jurisdictional parameters directly into NFT structures, the framework strengthens legal predictability without restricting innovation. This research contributes to academic discourse by advancing a multidimensional governance approach for digital assets, offering actionable pathways toward regulatory coherence and sustainable development within the NFT ecosystem moving forward.
The growing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the decentralized finance space has opened new opportunities to improve fraud detection, smart contracts, liquidity pooling, efficiency, and scalability of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Despite the global expansion of AI-powered DeFi applications, Nigeria faces unique challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, high fraud penetration, low digital literacy, and infrastructural gaps, which hinder full integration and trust in AI-enabled DeFi systems. This study is motivated by the need to understand how AI can foster inclusive and transparent financial ecosystems. Therefore, the study examined the effects of AI adoption on decentralized finance in Nigeria. It adopts a survey research design, with a sample size of 400 active DeFi participants determined through Cochran formula. Regression analysis was performed to examine the relationships between variables using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23). Findings reveal that stakeholders’ perceptions have a positive and significant association on AI’s role in building trust and security in Nigeria (0.627; 0.000<0.01). Perceived barriers also have a positive and significant association with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into DeFi systems by blockchain developers and financial professionals in Nigeria (0.506; 0.000<0.01). DeFi users have a significant and positive association with AI-driven tools used in decision-making for decentralized financial activities in Nigeria (0.551; 0.000<0.01). Regulatory changes have a significant and positive association with AI adoption in Nigeria (0.519; 0.000<0.01). AI practitioners have a significant and positive association with the development of decentralized finance in Nigeria (0.614; 0.000<0.01). Based on these findings, the study concludes that AI is a powerful tool that can potentially revolutionize the face of decentralized finance in Nigeria. The study further recommended that policymakers and regulators develop and scale an adaptive AI-DeFi regulatory framework by developing a tiered regulatory sandbox specific to DeFi-AI platforms, enabling controlled experimentation under policy oversight and a national registry of certified AI-DeFi practitioners.