Advances in the Standards & Applied Sciences

Advances in the Standards & Applied Sciences

Harmonization of Blockchain Standards: Gaps, Overlaps, and Policy Implications

Document Type : Letter to Editor

Author
Department of Statistics, Mathematics, and Computer Science, Allameh Tabataba'i, University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) have emerged as transformative innovations, reshaping trust, transparency, and data management across various sectors. Despite their rapid adoption—from finance and logistics to healthcare and governance—the lack of globally harmonized standards remains a major obstacle to scalable and secure integration. Multiple international organizations, including ISO, IEEE, ITU, and W3C, are actively developing blockchain-related frameworks. However, these parallel efforts often result in overlaps, inconsistencies, and confusion among stakeholders. Key gaps persist in areas such as cross-platform interoperability, legal compliance (e.g., GDPR), and consensus on terminology. Additionally, technological advancements like zero-knowledge proofs and tokenized ecosystems outpace the ability of traditional bodies to standardize effectively. This article provides a critical overview of the current blockchain standardization landscape, identifying redundancies, deficiencies, and coordination challenges. It concludes with strategic policy recommendations aimed at fostering global cooperation, encouraging modular and adaptive standards, and promoting inclusive multi-stakeholder engagement to support the development of secure and interoperable blockchain ecosystems.
Keywords
Subjects

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