Security-critical data exchange in digital twin ecosystems: Hybrid blockchain architectures and design trade-offs

Abstract

This study presents a systematic review of hybrid blockchain architectures designed for security-critical data exchange within Digital Twin (DT) ecosystems. Unlike conventional surveys, this work characterizes hybrid designs as a structural necessity to resolve the inherent tension between sub-second transaction finality, real-time state mirroring, and multi-stakeholder data fusion. Utilizing a PRISMA-guided methodology, 116 studies are analyzed across a three-dimensional lifecycle-layer-security taxonomy. The review synthesizes a novel five-layer reference architecture that partitions trust responsibilities across physical operations, permissioned consensus, and public anchoring layers. A comprehensive defense-gap analysis identifies critical underserved areas, specifically highlighting governance, economic sustainability, and post-quantum resilience. Future research directions are operationalized through an explicit traceability mapping, emphasizing the transition toward standardized inter-chain protocols, AI-optimized adaptive consensus, and real-world deployment validation. This survey serves as a definitive blueprint for developing scalable, transparent, and regulation-aligned DT data-sharing infrastructures.