IntroductionThe scientific community is increasingly interested in leveraging decentralized technologies to address systemic challenges such as the reputation economy, the monopolization of academic publishing, and the replication crisis. This study presents an analysis of the Decentralized Science (DeSci) landscape in 2023, focusing on organizational structures, technological foundations, and funding mechanisms of DeSci organizations.MethodsA 16-question survey was distributed to DeSci organizations between December 2023 and April 2024, and responses from 49 projects were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods.ResultsResults highlight the prominent role of Ethereum as the dominant blockchain platform in DeSci, the varied applications of blockchain in scientific processes, and a significant emphasis on community building and infrastructure development. Funding sources within the ecosystem are moving towards partnerships with more traditional organizations, including academia. However, most projects lack DAO features for governance. It remains uncertain whether they will adopt more DAO-like structures in the future or deploy a different organizational model.DiscussionOur findings offer a comprehensive overview of the progress and challenges facing the DeSci ecosystem, including slow project progression due to leadership issues and limited funding for most DeSci projects. By identifying key patterns and areas for improvement, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors driving success and sustainability in DeSci.

IntroductionBlockchain technology has attracted much attention due to its decentralization, transparency and security. Initially applied in the financial field, it has now expanded to various fields such as Internet of Things (IoT), electronic cash and healthcare. However, the open nature of blockchain has raised potential security concerns about sensitive transaction data, and the increasing number of transactions requires low-latency solutions. Most blockchain applications still rely on the lightweight Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). Due to complex operations such as vectorized multiplication and modular inversion, this may introduce significant additional overhead.MethodsTo address these issues, a new scheme named KTP-ECDSA is proposed. This scheme is based on the improved two-parameter Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (TP-ECDSA) and the KGLP algorithm. In both the signing and verification processes, this scheme eliminates modular inverse operations and reduces scalar multiplications during the verification stage by using batch verification.ResultThe experimental results show that, compared with the traditional ECDSA, KTP-ECDSA has achieved a speed increase of over 50% in both independent verification and batch verification, significantly improving the efficiency of signature verification.DiscussionBy adopting the KTP-ECDSA algorithm and using the digital signature batch verification method, multiple signatures can be verified simultaneously, thus reducing the computational burden of the traditional single-verification method. This greatly increases the overall transaction throughput and improves resource utilization efficiency.

IntroductionThe insurance industry has evolved into a global multi-billion-dollar sector, with health insurance gaining prominence due to escalating healthcare costs. This rapid expansion brings heightened risks, including data breaches, fraud, and difficulties in safeguarding sensitive policyholder information. Indonesia’s National Health Insurance (NHI)—one of the largest national insurance programs worldwide—covers over 200 million citizens, aiming to provide universal healthcare. However, this extensive coverage raises substantial concerns about data privacy and traceability, particularly during the claim process, as policyholders currently have limited control over and insight into how their data is accessed and used.MethodsTo address these challenges, we propose a blockchain-based model designed to enhance policyholders’ private control over data access and improve traceability throughout the NHI claim process. Our approach employs three complementary architectures—functional, logical, and physical—to guide system implementation. The functional architecture is illustrated via a use case diagram that outlines the roles and actions of each participant. The logical architecture employs Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) diagrams to depict the revised process flow and data movement, while also incorporating a layered design concept. The physical data architecture provides a class diagram detailing data structures and actor relationships. A proof-of-concept prototype was developed to demonstrate the core functionalities of the new system.ResultsBy integrating blockchain technology, our prototype ensures authorized access, bolsters data privacy, and maintains data integrity in the NHI claim workflow. The system’s layered design and use of smart contracts guarantee transparent, tamper-proof record-keeping, while parallelized processes in the logical architecture streamline claims handling. Initial tests of the prototype confirm the feasibility and robustness of the proposed solution, illustrating how blockchain can facilitate traceability and preserve confidentiality.DiscussionThe blockchain-based design addresses pressing concerns surrounding data security and accountability in large-scale health insurance systems. It allows policyholders to monitor and control their personal information, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized use. Furthermore, the transparent and immutable ledger enables stakeholders to verify data provenance and transactions, enhancing trust. Future work will focus on scalability, regulatory compliance, and integration with existing healthcare IT infrastructures to fully realize the benefits of blockchain in national health insurance programs.

This paper presents a theoretical extension of the Decentralized Token Economy Theory (DeTEcT) framework proposed by Sadykhov et al. (Front. Blockchain, 2023, 6, 1298330), where a formal analysis framework was introduced for modelling wealth distribution in token economies. DeTEcT is a framework for analysing economic activity, simulating macroeconomic scenarios, and algorithmically setting policies in token economies. This paper proposes four ways of parametrizing the framework, where dynamic vs. static parametrization is considered along with the probabilistic vs. non-probabilistic parameters. Using these parametrization techniques, we demonstrate that by adding restrictions to the framework, it is possible to derive the existing wealth distribution models from DeTEcT. In addition to exploring parametrization techniques, this paper explores how money supply in the DeTEcT framework can be transformed to become dynamic and how this change will affect the dynamics of wealth distribution. The motivation for studying dynamic money supply is that it enables DeTEcT to be applied to modelling token economies without maximum supply (i.e., Ethereum) and it adds constraints to the framework in the form of symmetries.

Agricultural insurance is one of the formal and reliable risk management instruments to cope with agrarian risks. Presently, agricultural insurance products rely heavily on centralized systems that lack transparency and traceability, leading to suboptimal risk assessment and delays in payouts. To address these concerns the fintech industry has started to embrace a popular decentralized technology called blockchain. However, blockchain operates as a deterministic and synchronized state system, which means it cannot directly access real-world data for decentralized applications. A mechanism called oracle is required for the trusted access of agricultural risk factor data to smart contracts from external sources such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, web services and databases. Hence, the present study proposes a blockchain-based AgriInsureDON framework with a privacy-preserving decentralized oracle for risk factor data access from trusted IoT devices for agricultural insurance. Initially, a method for computing the direct reputation score of IoT devices based on behavioral and data reputation is illustrated. Next, a privacy preserved decentralized oracle mechanism is designed and implemented using a masked secret sharing and secure aggregation scheme. Later, we demonstrate the working of weather-indexed insurance contracts based on decentralized oracle. Finally, a performance analysis of smart contract transactions w.r.t average latency, throughput, average CPU utilization and total memory usage is conducted on Ganache and Sepolia test networks. The evaluation results of privacy-protected decentralized oracle and an indexed insurance contract within AgriInsureDON framework confirms that transactions are efficient and scalable to meet the requirements of expedited claim settlement.

IntroductionThis paper presents the design and development of a digital music copyright management system, built on the VNT Chain blockchain platform. The system aims to enhance copyright proof and evidence storage, verify the originality of music copyrights, and facilitate secure copyright transactions.MethodsThe system leverages blockchain technology for data integrity and immutability, utilizes the Shazam algorithm to verify music originality, and employs smart contracts to secure transactions. It is composed of six functional modules: user management, copyright registration, copyright trading, infringement monitoring, evidence storage, and music ecology. The system uses blockchain, the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), and MySQL to manage various business data requirements.ResultsExperimental results show that the registration time for each music piece increased by approximately 1.9 s. Additionally, the average feature fingerprint data for each music piece stored on IPFS consumed about 8 MB, which aligns with the expected system performance criteria.DiscussionThe system meets performance expectations, offering secure and efficient copyright registration and evidence storage. The use of blockchain and IPFS provides a scalable, reliable solution for managing digital music copyrights.

To solve some of the challenges of traditional science, such as restricted access to funding, centralized governance, and siloed knowledge dissemination, decentralized science (DeSci) has emerged as a transformative approach facilitated by blockchain technology, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), and Web3. However, the emerging field of DeSci, faces several challenges, such as the absence of an organizational framework to describe its inherent complexities. This study introduces the Decentralized Science Pyramid Framework (DSPF), an innovative adaptation of Mintzberg’s organizational structure, adapted to the unique demands and properties of DeSci. The DSPF delineates a structured model for DeSci projects that integrates technology, governance, community engagement, and application within a decentralized context. Through the introduction of the DSPF, this research highlights the operational dynamics of DeSci, focusing on the practical application of Mintzberg’s theories to address real-world scientific challenges. The case study of VitaDAO, a decentralized autonomous organization exemplifying the core principles of DeSci, demonstrates the practical applicability of the DSPF. This study not only advances the academic discourse on DeSci but also offers practical insights for practitioners, innovators, and policymakers, marking a substantial step toward realizing the full potential of decentralized science.

Upgradeable smart contracts allow decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to address bugs, enhance security, and expand functionality post-deployment. The proxy pattern enables smart contract upgradeability but introduces admin-centric governance, where power is concentrated in a single or small number of addresses. This paper explores the potential of decentralized smart contract governance to overcome admin centric governance while achieving flexibility in governing smart contracts. We investigate the Diamond Pattern as a flexible upgradeable contract framework that allows for modular smart contracts. Using the SecureSECO DAO as a case study, we examine how the diamond pattern can be configured for decentralized governance. The used architecture allows DAOs to upgrade smart contracts collectively through community consensus, and the implementation provides proposals, votes, and execution without requiring technical knowledge. The study highlights the benefits of this approach, namely, flexibility in smart contract governance, enhanced modularity, and a single point of interaction for governance. We also discuss limitations and challenges for upgradeable smart contracts such as the decision-making delays and potential vulnerabilities. To encourage adoption of consensus governance, we call for the creation of user-friendly tooling and smart contract facets.