A decentralized system for academic credential verification using Ethereum blockchain and hybrid off-chain storage. The system replaces traditional manual verification by allowing institutions to issue digitally signed certificates whose cryptographic hashes are stored on-chain, ensuring immutability and tamper resistance. A dual-hashing approach (SHA-256 followed by Keccak-256) is used to enhance security and maintain compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem. Credential files are stored off-chain (e.g., Supabase/IPFS) to reduce cost, while verification is performed by comparing hashes, achieving fast (under a few seconds) and reliable authentication. Overall, the paper demonstrates a scalable, secure, and efficient solution for real-world use cases such as academic admissions and recruitment.
The rapid development of digital infrastructures demands new approaches to managing born-digital data and enabling knowledge valorisation. Rather than constructing another digital Library of Alexandria, the SODHA-team is developing Project BLU, a framework for building a distributed information network. Drawing inspiration from Web3 principles—decentralisation, interoperability, and user-driven discovery—the project explores methods for metadata exchange between archives. This project engages with established metadata standards like the Data Documentation Initiative (DDI), exploring how they can support or be extended to enable interoperability. Instead of centralising data, Project BLU enables a shared, federated catalogue based on metadata-exchange accessible from any entry point. Researchers will navigate this network to discover and link data across disciplines, reducing access barriers and opening new avenues for metadata specialists. These include promoting and, where needed, upgrading DDI standards, linking interdisciplinary data, and bridging vocabularies across scientific fields. The interconnected nature of the system reinforces adherence to FAIR principles, improves access to both open and restricted data, and enhances knowledge reuse at national and international levels (e.g. linking CESSDA and DDI partners). This presentation outlines the conceptual foundations of Project BLU and its vision for transforming metadata into dynamic, actionable links across the research landscape.
Hamza Salem, Hadi Salloum, Manuel Mazzara, Nursultan Askarbekuly · 6 authors
The rapid expansion of the non-fungible token (NFT) market has catalyzed new opportunities for artists, collectors, and investors, yet it has also unveiled critical challenges related to the storage and distribution of associated metadata. This paper examines the current landscape of NFT metadata storage, revealing a significant reliance on centralized platforms, which poses risks to the integrity, security, and decentralization of these digital assets. Through a detailed analysis of top-selling NFTs on the OpenSea marketplace, it was found that a substantial portion of metadata is hosted on centralized servers, making them susceptible to censorship, data breaches, and administrative alterations. Conversely, decentralized storage solutions, particularly the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), were identified as a more secure and resilient alternative, offering enhanced transparency, resistance to tampering, and greater control for creators and collectors. This study advocates for the widespread adoption of decentralized storage architectures, incorporating digital signatures to verify ownership, as a means to preserve the value and trustworthiness of NFTs in an increasingly digital world. The findings underscore the necessity for NFT platforms to prioritize decentralized methodologies to ensure the long-term sustainability and integrity of the NFT
Jan 1, 2022·Proceedings of the ... Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences/Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
In 2021, enterprise distributed ledger technology has evolved beyond the proof-of-concept stage. It is now providing business value to large consortia in several successful and well documented case studies. Nevertheless, other consortia and initiatives are stuck in early stages of consortium formation or conceptualization. They stand to benefit from lessons learned by successful consortia, but an in-depth comparison has not yet been conducted. Thus, this study performs the first methodological comparison of large DLT consortia that have launched a product. Based on the temporal evolution of these consortia, a lifecycle with 4 stages and 12 sub-phases is developed to provide further guidance for early-stage consortia. The results show how 9 pioneer consortia have successfully integrated novel DLT into existing processes, but also point out challenges faced on the way.
Helen Williams of the London School of Economics attended the recent Talis open day covering all things semantic and how to apply these tools and structures in a library setting. Helen has included links to all the presentations from the day that covered a wide range of topics from making library resources web3 ready and the frameworks and schemas used in the Linked Data movement.