Blockchain Papers

Swaminathan Balasubramaniam

No abstract is available for this record.

Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research

No abstract is available for this record.

Ms. Aditi Methi

The rapid evolution of cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and Web3 ecosystems has significantly transformed global financial systems and digital economies. India has emerged as one of the largest cryptocurrency adoption markets due to increasing internet penetration, fintech innovation, digital payment infrastructure, and a young technology-oriented population. Simultaneously, the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi), tokenized assets, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and artificial intelligence integration with blockchain has redefined the scope of digital assets beyond speculative investment instruments. This research paper examines the emerging trends, regulatory developments, opportunities, and challenges associated with cryptocurrency and blockchain adoption in India in 2026. The paper also analyses government policies, taxation frameworks, investor behavior, cybersecurity risks, and institutional participation. The findings suggest that India possesses strong potential to become a global blockchain innovation hub if supported by balanced regulation, improved investor awareness, and sustainable technological development.

Balasani Avinash, Balla Sahithi, Shaik Nousheen Sultana, Anugandula Kushal

The rapid progress in quantum computing poses a severe risk to contemporary blockchain systems, as their reliance on vulnerable primitives like ECDSA and RSA allows quantum algorithms (e.g., Shor's) to break discrete logarithm and factorization problems, potentially enabling attackers to forge signatures, steal assets, impersonate users, and compromise ledger immutability—undermining the core trust model of decentralized finance and Web3 applications.To preempt this crisis, we propose a next-generation quantum-resistant multicchain blockchain architecture fused with an intelligent AI-powered Web3 threat firewall. The framework natively adopts NIST-approved post-quantum cryptography, integrating lattice-based ML-DSA (Dilithium) and hash-based SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+) schemes throughout the protocol stack: from secure key-pair generation in wallets, through transaction signing, to rigorous multi-node verification during consensus. This design ensures end-to-end protection against foreseeable quantum threats across diverse chains without requiring disruptive hard forks or retrofits.Comprehensive testnet experiments quantify the trade-offs: post-quantum signatures incur larger payload sizes (typically 2–4× compared to ECDSA) and modestly increased signing/verification times, yet the overall transaction processing capacity remains practical for everyday use, with throughput and latency suitable for high-volume decentralized applications. Storage and bandwidth overheads stay manageable through optimized encoding and pruning techniques.Augmenting cryptographic hardening, the AI threat firewall leverages machine learning models to perform real-time anomaly detection across multichain interactions, identifying subtle signature irregularities, suspicious patterns, and novel attack vectors—including those exploiting transitional quantum vulnerabilities—thereby providing adaptive, proactive defense beyond static primitives.These findings confirm that fully quantum-secure blockchain systems are deployable today with acceptable performance penalties, paving the way for resilient, future-proof Web3 infrastructure capable of withstanding the quantum era while preserving usability, scalability, and economic viability for global adoption.

Shrey Jain

No abstract is available for this record.

Mandhan Agnihotri

No abstract is available for this record.

Alicia Lopez, Johan Andersson, Lucia Moretti

Blockchain technology has emerged as a revolutionary tool for securing online transactions by providing a decentralized, transparent, and immutable ledger for digital records. This technology operates on the principles of cryptography and consensus mechanisms, making it resistant to tampering and fraud. As online transactions have become an essential part of modern economies, ensuring the security and integrity of these transactions has become a critical challenge. Blockchain addresses these concerns by enabling peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries, thereby reducing the risk of fraud, data breaches, and financial theft. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of blockchain technology in enhancing the security of online transactions, focusing on its implementation in various industries such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. This paper will analyze the fundamental features of blockchain, including its decentralized nature, transparency, and the cryptographic techniques used to ensure data integrity. Additionally, it will examine the challenges associated with the widespread adoption of blockchain, including scalability issues, regulatory concerns, and technological barriers. The paper also discusses the future potential of blockchain technology, particularly in relation to its integration with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. By reviewing current trends, case studies, and research findings, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of blockchain technology’s impact on securing online transactions and its potential to revolutionize digital economies.

Sari Damayanti, Sunaryo N Tuah, Benius

Indonesia’s fiscal decentralization provides village funds and tax revenue sharing funds to strengthen village autonomy, support public services, and enhance community economic welfare. This study examines the impact of village fund allocation, village fund, and tax revenue sharing funds on the economic welfare of communities across 13 villages in Murung District, Murung Raya Regency, from 2020 to 2024. Using a quantitative explanatory approach, the research applies descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including validity and reliability tests, multiple linear regression, and significance testing. The findings reveal that fund allocation, village fund, and tax revenue sharing funds significantly influence key indicators of economic welfare, such as household income, access to clean water, and the growth of active micro-enterprises. Among these, village funds emerge as the most dominant variable, contributing directly to economic participation and service access. The regression model demonstrates strong predictive power. These results align with theories of fiscal decentralization, public finance allocation, and welfare economics emphasizing the role of targeted fiscal transfers in reducing inequality and enhancing local development. The study recommends optimizing sharing funds for productive programs, integrating fiscal planning with SDGs and performance indicators, and strengthening governance, transparency, and community participation.

Design Dialogue Journal

Persistent electricity shortages and routine load shedding have long hindered social and economic development in Pakistan, with Punjab its most populous and industrialized province bearing a disproportionate share of the burden. In recent years, however, solar power has emerged as a central pillar of provincial strategies to enhance energy security and reduce dependence on conventional, fossil-fuel-based generation. This paper examines how solar energy is contributing to Punjab’s gradual shift from chronic load shedding toward greater energy independence. Adopting a qualitative, multiple-case design, the study draws on national and provincial policy documents, secondary reports, and peer-reviewed literature. It focuses on four key sectors residential, agricultural, educational, and industrial where solar initiatives have been promoted through programs such as free solar panel schemes for low-income households, school solarization, solar irrigation systems, and industrial rooftop installations. A comparative sectoral analysis evaluates these initiatives in terms of affordability, reliability, sustainability, and scalability. The findings show that solar energy has significantly improved supply reliability for many households and institutions, reduced operating costs for some farmers and industries, and opened new avenues for decentralized generation. At the same time, coverage remains uneven, key programs are still small relative to overall need, and implementation is constrained by financing barriers, bureaucratic delays, and limited technical capacity. The paper argues that Punjab’s trajectory illustrates both the transformative potential and the persistent limitations of solar-led energy transitions in developing-country contexts. It concludes that scaling up equitable, decentralized solar adoption supported by robust provincial policies, innovative financing, and institutional reforms will be essential if solar power is to move from a complementary role to a structural driver of energy independence.

Urszula K. Zawadzka-Pąk, Ewa Lotko

The principle of financial independence is particularly linked to one of the budgetary principles, i.e. the principle of material unity. The article aims to describe the principles of financial independence and the principle of material unity in the financing of municipalities. To obtain this objectives, we focus on explaining the essence and goals of the principles of financial independence and the principles of material unity, as well as on exceptions to the principles of unity. The article bases on the dogmatic and legal method. The presented considerations lead to the conclusion that the introduction of many sources of exceptions to the principles of material unity results from additional regulatory arbitrariness, limiting decentralization and management independence.

Nehir Balcı

Although many academic studies have examined volatility spillovers and dynamic correlations between stock markets, they have largely overlooked the perspective of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) markets. On this basis, this study explores the interconnectedness and volatility correlation between Decentralized Finance (DeFi) markets and SME markets. To understand the correlation between these markets, we empirically analyse six European SME market indices—the FTSE AIM All-Share Index (AIM), BIST SME Industrial Index (BISTSME), Euronext Growth All-Share Index (EURONEXT), First North All-Share Index (FIRSTNORTH), IBEX Medium Cap Index (IBEXC), and Scale All-Share Performance Index (SCALE)—alongside three cryptocurrencies: Aave (AAVE), Ethereum (ETH), and Uniswap (UNI); two stablecoins: Dai (DAI) and USD Coin (USDC); and one synthetic asset: Synthetix (SNX). The study employed BEKK-GARCH and DCC-GARCH to analyse the existence of spillover effects and correlations from October 5, 2020, to August 18, 2024. The findings indicate that AAVE, ETH, and UNI, in particular, transmit significant volatility to the EURONEXT and FIRSTNORTH markets. However, bidirectional volatility spillover was detected between EURONEXT and AAVE, ETH, UNI, USDC, and SNX, and FIRSTNORTH and AAVE, ETH, UNI, and SNX. This suggests volatility interdependence between these markets and the existence of potential risk contagion channels.

Deny Prasetyo, Siska Narulita, Ahmad Jurnaidi Wahidin, Rosalina Yani Widiastuti · 7 authors

This study introduces a trust centric machine learning framework designed to improve decision making reliability and security in decentralized digital service ecosystems. Traditional machine learning models often focus on accuracy and efficiency but fail to address the challenges of trust and security in decentralized environments. In contrast, the proposed framework integrates dynamic trust indicators and employs Federated Learning (FL) to ensure privacy while enhancing decision making performance. The framework also incorporates Zero Knowledge Proofp based Verifiable Machine Learning (ZKP-VML), which ensures transparency and security without compromising sensitive data. Through continuous real time trust assessments, the framework adapts to changing conditions, improving the accuracy and reliability of decisions in environments where participants may not fully trust each other. The application of this framework in autonomous vehicles and IoT networks demonstrated its ability to make robust, secure decisions, even in complex and uncertain scenarios. The framework’s ability to incorporate both trust and security into its decision making processes sets it apart from traditional models, which typically do not address the trustworthiness of data or participants. This research highlights the importance of integrating trust and security into machine learning models, particularly in decentralized systems, and offers a robust solution to trust management challenges. However, challenges such as scalability and computational efficiency remain, and future work should focus on enhancing these aspects, along with exploring the framework's applicability in other decentralized domains like finance or supply chain management. The integration of privacy preserving technologies and improvements in adversarial robustness are also potential areas for future research.

Deineka O., Li O

The article examines the economic nature of local finance and determines its social role under the transformation of Ukraine's public finance system. The study analyzes the historical evolution of local finance in foreign and domestic contexts, revealing a transition from viewing it as a simple community expenditure estimate to recognizing it as a complex instrument for territorial viability and financial independence. The research highlights that while foreign models followed a gradual path toward autonomy, the Ukrainian experience was marked by a long period of centralization within an administrative-command system, which is currently being overcome through fiscal decentralization. The paper systematizes academic approaches to defining "local finance" into five categories: system-resource, functional, economic, socio-economic, and legal. This classification demonstrates the multidimensional nature of local finance as both a component of public finance and the foundation of local self-government. The authors propose an updated definition, describing local finance as an institutionally regulated system of economic relations that ensures the implementation of both own and delegated powers, satisfies public needs, and promotes sustainable socio-economic development. Under the conditions of martial law and the challenges of post-war recovery, local finance is shown to transform from a mere budgetary tool into a strategic mechanism for social stability. The study concludes that the modern social role of local finance is centered on supporting internally displaced persons, ensuring security, and facilitating the recovery of territorial communities, thereby serving as a fundamental element of public finance sustainability.

Aurangzeb Khan, Nasrullah Khan, Muzzammil Siraj

No abstract is available for this record.

Hazik Mohamed

The rapid rise of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and anonymity-focused cryptocurrencies has transformed financial systems by eliminating intermediaries and enabling peer-to-peer transactions. While these innovations offer numerous benefits, they also present unprecedented challenges for crime prevention and regulatory enforcement. This paper examines how DeFi and privacy-enhanced cryptocurrencies, such as Monero and Zcash, facilitate financial crimes, including money laundering, ransomware attacks, and fraud. By applying criminological theories—Strain Theory, Routine Activity Theory, and Rational Choice Theory—this study reinterprets traditional crime models in the context of blockchain-based financial ecosystems. Law enforcement agencies face significant hurdles in investigating and prosecuting crypto-enabled financial crimes due to jurisdictional limitations, privacy-enhancing technologies, and decentralized governance. This paper explores how blockchain analytics, artificial intelligence-driven risk assessment, and cross-border regulatory collaborations, such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Travel Rule and the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, are being developed to counter these emerging threats. Additionally, it assesses the institutional limitations of law enforcement agencies, the role of DeFi governance communities in mitigating financial crimes, and the potential impact of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) on reducing illicit transactions. To enhance regulatory effectiveness, this study recommends strengthening international cooperation, improving forensic capabilities for tracking illicit blockchain transactions, and implementing ethical frameworks that balance financial privacy with security. The findings contribute to criminology, financial regulation, and cybersecurity by offering insights into evolving digital crimes and proposing solutions to mitigate their risks. Future research should explore the role of artificial intelligence in DeFi crime detection and the impact of regulatory advancements on illicit financial flows in decentralized ecosystems.

Carlos Alberto Durigan, Fernando José Barbin Laurindo

Blockchain is a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) which supports cryptocurrencies, Decentralized finance (DeFi) is a blockchain-based financial infrastructure, the term generally refers to an open, permissionless, and highly interoperable protocol stack built on public smart contract platforms, such as the Ethereum blockchain. DeFi does not rely on intermediaries and centralized institutions. Instead, it is based on open protocols and decentralized applications (Dapps). Considering that there are many digital coins, stablecoins and recently the advent of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs by Central Banks) and tokenized assets it is important to observe that these protocols may interact among themselves. These IT protocols interactions may be complex and there should be effective IT governance frameworks to guide points like interoperability and interconvertibility of digital assets based on DLTs protocols. IT governance framework based on these technologies is still a challenge in the literature. Considering these points, this paper seeks to explore literature through a Systematic Literature Review methodology in order to find the state of the art about this theme. Results show that Literature explore DLT governance as a whole, including information technology (IT) aspects. However, there is a lack in the literature about IT governance for interoperability and interconvertibility among complex DLT protocols interactions. Discussions, future research, limiting factors and conclusions are fully stated. Keywords: Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), IT Governance, Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Tokenization, Decentralized Finance (DeFi).

Arthur Stepanyan

the paper examines the phenomenon of decentralized finance (DeFi) as one of the most promising and at the same time controversial areas of the digital economy. DeFi is defined as an ecosystem of protocols and applications based on blockchain and smart contracts that allows financial transactions to be carried out without the intermediation of traditional institutions. It is noted that the key advantages of the technology are transparency, automation, reduction of transaction costs, and expansion of the accessibility of financial services. Simultaneously, risks associated with the lack of unified regulatory approaches, high vulnerability of smart contracts, the use of DeFi for unlawful purposes, and the uncertainty of legal liability are emphasized. Particular attention is paid to AML/KYC problems, as well as the use of DeFi platforms for money laundering of criminal proceeds.

Sheshadri Chatterjee, Hussam Musa, Tomáš Klieštik

Blockchain-based financial systems: Trust, transparency, and the future of decentralized financeBlockchain technology is increasingly recognized as one of the most transformative innovations in contemporary finance (Andronie et al., 2024).By embedding verification, trust, and transparency into decentralized digital infrastructures, it challenges conventional assumptions regarding the organization, regulation, and governance of financial systems (Turek et al., 2023;Balcerzak & Valaskova, 2024).The conceptual foundations and practical implications of blockchain-based financial systems are examined, with particular emphasis on three interrelated dimensions: the reconfiguration of trust, the emergence of transparency as a systemic aFribute, and the evolving architecture of decentralized finance (Lzroiu et al.,

Ashish Barak, Dr Shilpa Rani

The transition of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) toward decentralized rooftop solar is critical for sustainable industrial growth in emerging economies, yet commercial adoption remains sluggish despite grid parity. This study empirically investigates MSME preferences for solar financing architectures using a Choice-Based Conjoint (CBC) experiment grounded in Random Utility Theory. Primary data were collected from 100 MSMEs in India’s National Capital Region, generating 1,000 discrete choice observations under strictly controlled load conditions (50–60 kW). A Conditional Logit Model was employed to estimate part-worth utilities across capital structures, tariff mechanisms, and performance risk allocation. Contradicting standard market assumptions, the aggregate choices revealed a 77.6% rejection rate of standard solar offerings. The econometric results demonstrate severe utility penalties for upfront capital and fixed repayment obligations . Crucially, the requirement for firm-assumed maintenance risk generated perfect separation , acting as an absolute barrier to adoption. However, market simulations isolating an optimized financing package—combining zero-upfront OPEX, pay-per-unit tariffs, and developer-assumed risk—resulted in the adoption rate increasing to 76.3%. The findings indicate that the current stagnation in commercial solar diffusion is driven primarily by suboptimal risk allocation and product mismatch, rather than a lack of underlying economic viability. To accelerate deployment, policymakers and financial institutions must pivot from capital-subsidy models toward standardizing and de-risking third-party "Energy-as-a-Service" frameworks.

Utkarsh Sinha

Autonomous financial agents, powered by the convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, represent a paradigm shift in decentralized finance. These self-operating entities now possess capabilities to hold cryptocurrency wallets, execute complex transactions, and even launch tokens without human oversight. The architectural framework supporting these agents integrates specialized language models, secure wallet management systems, and persistent on-chain identities. From market-making to yield optimization, these agents demonstrate remarkable efficacy across various financial operations, creating novel market dynamics when interacting with both human participants and other autonomous systems. Essential to mainstream adoption are sophisticated reputation frameworks combining algorithmic assessment with social consensus mechanisms. However, significant challenges exist, including market manipulation vulnerabilities, spam production, and regulatory complexity. As these autonomous agents continue evolving, appropriate governance models tailored to agent characteristics become critical for balancing innovation with market integrity in this emerging financial landscape.

Jairo Dote-Pardo, María Teresa Espinosa-Jaramillo

The rapid expansion of cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi) has redefined global financial systems, creating new challenges in asset pricing, risk measurement, and systemic stability. This study conducts a comprehensive review of 93 peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024 to consolidate the fragmented literature on mathematical models applied to cryptocurrencies and DeFi platforms. Using a mixed bibliometric–systematic approach based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, the review integrates performance indicators, conceptual mapping, and qualitative synthesis to identify methodological advances and research trends. The findings reveal a progressive convergence between econometric models, such as the Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH), stochastic volatility, and Lévy processes, and data-driven approaches based on machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and reinforcement learning (RL). These hybrid frameworks enhance predictive accuracy and adaptability in high-frequency and non-linear blockchain markets. The review also highlights optimization-based decision models that integrate Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR), network theory, and portfolio analytics for decentralized finance operations. However, interpretability, governance, and environmental sustainability remain underexplored dimensions. The study contributes by classifying mathematical approaches to pricing, volatility, and risk propagation, identifying methodological gaps, and recommending future research on explainable artificial intelligence (AI), environmental and cyber-risk modeling, and real-time validation for transparent and resilient decentralized financial ecosystems. • Review 93 studies analyzing mathematical models in cryptocurrency and digital finance systems. • Identify emerging methods for pricing, risk, and portfolio decisions under high volatility. • Compare deep learning models to traditional methods for forecasting and risk evaluation. • Evaluate decision models that include environmental, risk, and governance factors. • Recommend future research on interpretable tools for real-time decision-making.

M. R. Safiullin, L. A. Yelshin, M. D. Sharifullin

The sanctions restrictions imposed on the Russian economy have predetermined the risks of reduced control and blocking cross-border financial channels for international payments. Under these circumstances, an important element of the state’s economic policy is the development of adaptation solutions that ensure the ability to minimize the risks associated with transformation of foreign economic activity. One of the mechanisms that forms the basis for solving this problem is the use of decentralized finance (DeFi) in the practice of international settlements. Meanwhile, it should be noted that in this area of financial and economic relations today there are a number of open issues — ranging from the conceptual framework to the impact of these fintech-innovations on the prospects for the stability of national financial systems and economic development in general. These issues acquire a special level of relevance at the regional level. The subject of the study is the prospects and mechanisms for using DeFi tools in the system of cross-border payments within the region. The object of the study is the foreign trade operations of the Republic of Tatarstan with the People’s Republic of China. The purpose of the study is to develop and test methodological approaches for assessing the potential impact of fintech DeFi tools on the organization foreign economic activity in the region on the stability of gross GRP dynamics. The authors used methods of cointegration analysis, scenario modeling, substantiation of the studied patterns using regression analysis methods, etc. The information and statistical basis for the study were derived from data from the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, the National Bureau of Statistics of China, as well as data from the territorial statistical authority of the Republic of Tatarstan. The study resulted in the systematization of the macroeconomic effects of using DeFi technologies for organizing international payments. A series of macroeconomic models have been developed that made it possible to identify and justify the potential for economic growth in the region through the practical application of DeFi tools in the system of organizing transnational settlements under sanction restrictions.

S. V. Krivoruchko, V. A. Lopatin, S. S. Akulinkin

The paper studies DeFi (decentralized finance) as a decentralized system for the circulation of financial tokens in virtual and cryptocurrency spaces. The subject of the study is the basic concepts, structures, and properties of DeFi. The relevance of the work is determined by the presence of unresolved issues related to the conceptual apparatus and structure of DeFi, factors of reduction and methods for determining the level of decentralization of DeFi, the functioning of the DeFi infrastructure, which highlights the need for further research into the concepts, structures and properties of DeFi. The aim of the study is to form a theoretical and methodological foundation for DeFi by clarifying the conceptual apparatus and identifying the features of DeFi functioning. The methodological framework of the study is based on the following principles: an object-subjective approach to describing entities, a method of structural analysis of objects, a systems approach to model objects, a process approach to analyzing the functioning of systems, and a service approach to analyzing interactions between serving and served systems. The study resulted in the formulation of the concept of DeFi (including the concept of a decentralized system). The following were identified: factors of centralization (reduced decentralization) of DeFi; the structure of DeFi as a set of subsystems for the circulation of virtual financial tokens and crypto tokens; a method for assessing the degree of DeFi decentralization as a system for the circulation of digital financial tokens; a three-tier service model of the DeFi infrastructure; and a model for the interaction of financial token circulation processes. Conclusions: The conceptual framework of DeFi, including the definition of DeFi as a decentralized system for the circulation of financial tokens in virtual and crypto spaces, allows us to identify the functional features of DeFi that ensure conditions for significantly greater transparency of the rules and results of financial transactions compared to traditional centralized financial systems. The use of virtual and crypto tokens, along with other DeFi mechanisms in financial circulation, significantly reduces uncertainty and the associated risks of executing financial agreements between economic entities.

Levina Khulaidah, Syifa Rhamadani, Fadjar Tri Sakti

This study aims to analyze the financial performance of the Bandung City Government during the 2020–2024 period from a fiscal decentralization perspective. The research employs a descriptive quantitative method using secondary data obtained from the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance (DJPK) of the Ministry of Finance. The analysis applies seven regional financial ratios, namely the degree of fiscal decentralization, regional financial independence, fiscal dependency, effectiveness of Local Own-Source Revenue (PAD), expenditure efficiency, expenditure harmony (operational and capital expenditures), and growth ratio. The results indicate that the financial performance of the Bandung City Government has shown improvement, as reflected in the increasing levels of fiscal decentralization and financial independence. However, fiscal dependency remains relatively high, the effectiveness of PAD has not been optimal, and expenditure efficiency is still classified as less efficient. The expenditure structure is dominated by operational spending, while capital expenditure allocation remains relatively low. In addition, regional revenue growth during the study period is considered low and unstable. Therefore, optimizing PAD, improving expenditure efficiency, and restructuring the budget composition are necessary to support sustainable fiscal decentralization. Keywords: Fiscal decentralization, Regional financial performance, Bandung city, Local owns source revenue, Regional financial rations