Guest Editorial: Blockchain Evolution: Architecture and Applications

IET Blockchain Pub Date : 2025-08-21 DOI:10.1049/blc2.70022
Hao Guo, Wanxin Li
{"title":"Guest Editorial: Blockchain Evolution: Architecture and Applications","authors":"Hao Guo,&nbsp;Wanxin Li","doi":"10.1049/blc2.70022","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>As a disruptive technology, blockchain has attracted widespread attention from academia and industry. However, current blockchain technologies still suffer from many severe problems, for example, insufficient trust and security, vulnerability to attacks, low efficiency, poor scalability, low throughput, high energy consumption, privacy leakage, and the inability to remove dishonest or harmful information once it has been recorded. Hence, blockchain evolution is urgently demanded, including its fundamental architecture, consensus mechanism, and new applications. The recent advances in artificial intelligence have offered opportunities to detect anomalies and optimise resources. The evolution of blockchain in architecture, intelligence, and consensus protocol will further extend its applications to broader fields. The current special issue is focused on research ideas, articles and experimental studies related to ‘Blockchain Evolution: Architecture and Applications’ for learning, analysing, and forecasting the various aspects of blockchain.</p><p>In this special issue, we have received 12 papers, all of which underwent peer review. Of the 12 originally submitted papers, three have been accepted and nine have been ‘rejected with referral,’ that is, they did not meet the <i>IET Blockchain</i> criteria for publication. Thus, the overall submissions were of high quality, which marks the success of this special issue.</p><p>The three eventually accepted papers can be clustered into three main categories, namely theoretical, applications and case studies. The papers in the first category introduce innovations in Ethereum cost optimisation in Layer 2 rollups via EIP-4844, including gas efficiency and economic analysis, to provide solutions for gas costs and system design. The paper in this category is by Dyade et al. The second category of paper designs a system for the blockchain-based intelligent disbursement in national scholarship portal. The paper in this category is by Samu et al. The last category proposes a case study for the adoption of blockchain-based cryptocurrency as a payment method in Saudi Arabia. The paper in this category is by Alrehaili et al. A brief presentation of each of the papers in this special issue follows.</p><p>Dyade et al. introduce a comprehensive gas efficiency and economic analysis of EIP-4844's impact on Layer 2 rollups, providing mathematical models, simulation results and architectural diagrams to illustrate the improvements in gas costs and system design. EIP-4844 is poised to drive significant improvements in the efficiency, performance and cost-effectiveness of Ethereum Layer 2 rollups, paving the way for a more scalable and economically viable blockchain ecosystem. Access the full paper using the following link: https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1049/blc2.70014</p><p>Samu et al. propose a blockchain-based scholarship module to address these challenges and automate the entire scholarship process. The paper emphasises the transformative impact of the usage of Hyperledger Fabric Network, which provides a fool-proof system that streamlines the entire application process and fund disbursement. The proposed integration also ensures robust application verification, accountability of stakeholders, transparent scholarship selection criteria, automated and thorough tracking of fund disbursement, immutable transaction history, secure authorisation and stringent compliance measures. Thus, the implementation of the proposed system aims to alleviate the financial insecurities faced by students during their studies, simplify their search for scholarship opportunities, and enable them to focus more on their academic pursuits. Access the full paper using the following link: https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/blc2.12092</p><p>Alrehaili et al. adapt the Technology Acceptance Model to explore cryptocurrency adoption through the Blockchain-based Cryptocurrency as a Payment Method in Saudi Arabia (BCAP-SA) model. Factors within the model are assessed using an experimental vignette-task methodology and surveys. A key component is an educational package, offering comprehensive materials to explain blockchain technology. The findings confirm the reliability of surveys. Most model factors are statistically significant in influencing users' intention to use cryptocurrency. The study finds that Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Trust significantly impact participants' intentions. Additionally, Low Transaction Fees and Age are the most influential factors on the Technology Acceptance Model's core constructs. Statistical analysis indicates that Decentralisation and Anonymity were insignificant and thus excluded from the revised BCAP-SA model. These findings highlight the potential to enhance cryptocurrency adoption in Saudi Arabia. The study's insights can guide strategies to promote wider cryptocurrency usage in the region. Access the full paper using the following link: https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/blc2.70002</p><p>All of the papers selected for this special issue show that the field of blockchain is steadily moving forward. Blockchain has evolved from a simple cryptocurrency ledger to a sophisticated platform enabling programmable smart contracts and diverse applications beyond finance. Architectural innovations focus on scalability, interoperability, privacy, and sustainability. Applications now span DeFi, supply chain, identity, healthcare, gaming, governance, and more, driving the vision of a more transparent, efficient, and user-centric digital future (Web 3.0). Although challenges remain, the technology continues to mature rapidly.</p><p></p><p>Hao Guo received the B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Northwest University, Xi'an, China, in 2012, and the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, United States, in 2014, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Delaware, Newark, United States, in 2020, all in computer science. He is currently an Assistant Professor with the School of Software at the Northwestern Polytechnical University. His research interests include blockchain and distributed ledger technology, privacy-preserving computation, applied cryptography, and Internet of Things (IoT) security. He is a member of both ACM and IEEE.</p><p></p><p>Wanxin Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communications and Networking at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. He received his doctoral &amp; master's degrees from the University of Delaware and his bachelor's degree from Chongqing University. He was a recipient of IEEE ITSS Best Dissertation Award and IEEE TEMS Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Award in 2022. His research interests include blockchain, security &amp; privacy, and federated learning. He is a Fellow of UK Higher Education Academy and a Member of IET.</p>","PeriodicalId":100650,"journal":{"name":"IET Blockchain","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1049/blc2.70022","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"IET Blockchain","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/blc2.70022","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0

Abstract

As a disruptive technology, blockchain has attracted widespread attention from academia and industry. However, current blockchain technologies still suffer from many severe problems, for example, insufficient trust and security, vulnerability to attacks, low efficiency, poor scalability, low throughput, high energy consumption, privacy leakage, and the inability to remove dishonest or harmful information once it has been recorded. Hence, blockchain evolution is urgently demanded, including its fundamental architecture, consensus mechanism, and new applications. The recent advances in artificial intelligence have offered opportunities to detect anomalies and optimise resources. The evolution of blockchain in architecture, intelligence, and consensus protocol will further extend its applications to broader fields. The current special issue is focused on research ideas, articles and experimental studies related to ‘Blockchain Evolution: Architecture and Applications’ for learning, analysing, and forecasting the various aspects of blockchain.

In this special issue, we have received 12 papers, all of which underwent peer review. Of the 12 originally submitted papers, three have been accepted and nine have been ‘rejected with referral,’ that is, they did not meet the IET Blockchain criteria for publication. Thus, the overall submissions were of high quality, which marks the success of this special issue.

The three eventually accepted papers can be clustered into three main categories, namely theoretical, applications and case studies. The papers in the first category introduce innovations in Ethereum cost optimisation in Layer 2 rollups via EIP-4844, including gas efficiency and economic analysis, to provide solutions for gas costs and system design. The paper in this category is by Dyade et al. The second category of paper designs a system for the blockchain-based intelligent disbursement in national scholarship portal. The paper in this category is by Samu et al. The last category proposes a case study for the adoption of blockchain-based cryptocurrency as a payment method in Saudi Arabia. The paper in this category is by Alrehaili et al. A brief presentation of each of the papers in this special issue follows.

Dyade et al. introduce a comprehensive gas efficiency and economic analysis of EIP-4844's impact on Layer 2 rollups, providing mathematical models, simulation results and architectural diagrams to illustrate the improvements in gas costs and system design. EIP-4844 is poised to drive significant improvements in the efficiency, performance and cost-effectiveness of Ethereum Layer 2 rollups, paving the way for a more scalable and economically viable blockchain ecosystem. Access the full paper using the following link: https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1049/blc2.70014

Samu et al. propose a blockchain-based scholarship module to address these challenges and automate the entire scholarship process. The paper emphasises the transformative impact of the usage of Hyperledger Fabric Network, which provides a fool-proof system that streamlines the entire application process and fund disbursement. The proposed integration also ensures robust application verification, accountability of stakeholders, transparent scholarship selection criteria, automated and thorough tracking of fund disbursement, immutable transaction history, secure authorisation and stringent compliance measures. Thus, the implementation of the proposed system aims to alleviate the financial insecurities faced by students during their studies, simplify their search for scholarship opportunities, and enable them to focus more on their academic pursuits. Access the full paper using the following link: https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/blc2.12092

Alrehaili et al. adapt the Technology Acceptance Model to explore cryptocurrency adoption through the Blockchain-based Cryptocurrency as a Payment Method in Saudi Arabia (BCAP-SA) model. Factors within the model are assessed using an experimental vignette-task methodology and surveys. A key component is an educational package, offering comprehensive materials to explain blockchain technology. The findings confirm the reliability of surveys. Most model factors are statistically significant in influencing users' intention to use cryptocurrency. The study finds that Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Trust significantly impact participants' intentions. Additionally, Low Transaction Fees and Age are the most influential factors on the Technology Acceptance Model's core constructs. Statistical analysis indicates that Decentralisation and Anonymity were insignificant and thus excluded from the revised BCAP-SA model. These findings highlight the potential to enhance cryptocurrency adoption in Saudi Arabia. The study's insights can guide strategies to promote wider cryptocurrency usage in the region. Access the full paper using the following link: https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/blc2.70002

All of the papers selected for this special issue show that the field of blockchain is steadily moving forward. Blockchain has evolved from a simple cryptocurrency ledger to a sophisticated platform enabling programmable smart contracts and diverse applications beyond finance. Architectural innovations focus on scalability, interoperability, privacy, and sustainability. Applications now span DeFi, supply chain, identity, healthcare, gaming, governance, and more, driving the vision of a more transparent, efficient, and user-centric digital future (Web 3.0). Although challenges remain, the technology continues to mature rapidly.

Hao Guo received the B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Northwest University, Xi'an, China, in 2012, and the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, United States, in 2014, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Delaware, Newark, United States, in 2020, all in computer science. He is currently an Assistant Professor with the School of Software at the Northwestern Polytechnical University. His research interests include blockchain and distributed ledger technology, privacy-preserving computation, applied cryptography, and Internet of Things (IoT) security. He is a member of both ACM and IEEE.

Wanxin Li is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communications and Networking at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. He received his doctoral & master's degrees from the University of Delaware and his bachelor's degree from Chongqing University. He was a recipient of IEEE ITSS Best Dissertation Award and IEEE TEMS Outstanding Ph.D. Dissertation Award in 2022. His research interests include blockchain, security & privacy, and federated learning. He is a Fellow of UK Higher Education Academy and a Member of IET.

Abstract Image

Abstract Image

嘉宾评论:区块链演进:架构和应用
区块链作为一项颠覆性技术,已经引起了学术界和工业界的广泛关注。但是,目前的区块链技术仍然存在许多严重的问题,如信任和安全性不足、易受攻击、效率低、可扩展性差、吞吐量低、能耗高、隐私泄露、不诚实或有害信息被记录后无法删除等。因此,迫切需要区块链的发展,包括其基本架构,共识机制和新的应用。人工智能的最新进展为检测异常和优化资源提供了机会。区块链在架构、智能、共识协议等方面的发展将进一步扩展其应用到更广泛的领域。本期特刊聚焦于与“b区块链演化:架构与应用”相关的研究思路、文章和实验研究,用于学习、分析和预测区块链的各个方面。本期特刊共收到12篇论文,均经过同行评议。在最初提交的12篇论文中,3篇被接受,9篇被“推荐拒绝”,也就是说,它们不符合IET区块链的发表标准。因此,所有的投稿都是高质量的,这标志着本期特刊的成功。三篇最终被接受的论文可以分为三大类,即理论、应用和案例研究。第一类的论文通过EIP-4844介绍了以太坊在第2层聚合中成本优化的创新,包括燃气效率和经济分析,为燃气成本和系统设计提供解决方案。这一类的论文是Dyade等人的。第二类论文设计了一个基于区块链的国家奖学金门户智能支付系统。这一类的论文是Samu等人的。最后一个类别提出了在沙特阿拉伯采用基于区块链的加密货币作为支付方式的案例研究。这一类的论文是Alrehaili等人的。以下是本期特刊中每篇论文的简要介绍。Dyade等人介绍了EIP-4844对第2层卷积影响的综合燃气效率和经济分析,提供了数学模型、仿真结果和架构图,以说明燃气成本和系统设计的改进。EIP-4844将显著提高以太坊第2层聚合的效率、性能和成本效益,为更具可扩展性和经济可行性的区块链生态系统铺平道路。使用以下链接访问全文:https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1049/blc2.70014Samu等人提出了一个基于区块链的奖学金模块,以解决这些挑战并自动化整个奖学金流程。该论文强调了使用超级账本结构网络的变革性影响,该网络提供了一个万无一失的系统,简化了整个申请流程和资金支付。拟议的整合还确保了强大的申请验证、利益相关者的问责制、透明的奖学金选择标准、资金支付的自动和彻底跟踪、不可变的交易历史、安全的授权和严格的合规措施。因此,建议制度的实施旨在减轻学生在求学期间面临的经济不安全感,简化他们寻找奖学金机会的过程,使他们能够更多地专注于学业追求。使用以下链接访问全文:https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/blc2.12092Alrehaili等人调整技术接受模型,通过基于区块链的加密货币作为沙特阿拉伯的支付方式(BCAP-SA)模型探索加密货币的采用。模型内的因素使用实验小任务方法和调查进行评估。一个关键的组成部分是一个教育包,提供全面的材料来解释区块链技术。这些发现证实了调查的可靠性。大多数模型因素在影响用户使用加密货币的意愿方面具有统计学意义。研究发现,感知易用性、感知有用性和感知信任显著影响被试的意向。此外,低交易费用和年龄是影响技术接受模型核心结构的主要因素。统计分析表明,去中心化和匿名性不重要,因此被排除在修订的BCAP-SA模型之外。这些发现凸显了在沙特阿拉伯加强加密货币采用的潜力。该研究的见解可以指导促进该地区更广泛使用加密货币的策略。 通过以下链接访问全文:https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/blc2.70002All本期特刊所选论文表明,区块链领域正在稳步向前发展。区块链已经从一个简单的加密货币分类账发展成为一个复杂的平台,支持可编程智能合约和金融以外的各种应用。架构创新的重点是可伸缩性、互操作性、隐私性和可持续性。应用程序现在跨越了DeFi、供应链、身份、医疗保健、游戏、治理等领域,推动了更加透明、高效和以用户为中心的数字未来(Web 3.0)的愿景。尽管挑战依然存在,但该技术仍在迅速成熟。郭浩分别于2012年和2014年分别在中国西安西北大学和美国芝加哥伊利诺伊理工学院获得学士和硕士学位,并于2020年在美国纽瓦克特拉华大学获得计算机科学博士学位。他目前是美国西北工业大学软件学院的助理教授。他的研究兴趣包括区块链和分布式账本技术、隐私保护计算、应用密码学和物联网(IoT)安全。他是ACM和IEEE的成员。李万欣,西交利物浦大学通信与网络系助理教授。他在特拉华大学获得博士和硕士学位,在重庆大学获得学士学位。他是IEEE ITSS最佳论文奖和IEEE TEMS杰出博士论文奖的获得者。他的研究兴趣包括区块链、安全与隐私和联合学习。他是英国高等教育学院院士和IET成员。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
求助全文
约1分钟内获得全文 求助全文
来源期刊
CiteScore
1.80
自引率
0.00%
发文量
0
×
引用
GB/T 7714-2015
复制
MLA
复制
APA
复制
导出至
BibTeX EndNote RefMan NoteFirst NoteExpress
×
提示
您的信息不完整,为了账户安全,请先补充。
现在去补充
×
提示
您因"违规操作"
具体请查看互助需知
我知道了
×
提示
确定
请完成安全验证×
copy
已复制链接
快去分享给好友吧!
我知道了
右上角分享
点击右上角分享
0
联系我们:info@booksci.cn Book学术提供免费学术资源搜索服务,方便国内外学者检索中英文文献。致力于提供最便捷和优质的服务体验。 Copyright © 2023 布克学术 All rights reserved.
京ICP备2023020795号-1
ghs 京公网安备 11010802042870号
Book学术文献互助
Book学术文献互助群
群 号:604180095
Book学术官方微信