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Future Internet
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Blockchain and Web 3.0: Applications, Challenges and Future Trends—Volume II
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Blockchain and Web 3.0: Applications, Challenges and Future Trends—Volume II

A special issue of Future Internet (ISSN 1999-5903). This special issue belongs to the section "Internet of Things".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2025 | Viewed by 13419

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Qiang Qu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
Interests: data intensive systems; blockchain; Web 3.0
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Blockchain technology has emerged as a groundbreaking innovation, revolutionizing various industries by enabling secure, transparent, and decentralized systems. Blockchain's potential extends beyond finance to supply chain management, healthcare, voting systems, and more. However, blockchain faces challenges related to scalability, as it must handle large volumes of transactions efficiently. Privacy is another concern, as the public nature of blockchain can expose sensitive information. Web 3.0 leverages blockchain and other decentralized technologies to create peer-to-peer networks, enabling direct interactions and eliminating the reliance on centralized entities. Despite its immense potential, Web 3.0 faces challenges in usability, interoperability among different platforms, and the development of user-friendly decentralized applications (dApps). Scalability and performance limitations must also be addressed to provide a seamless user experience.

Addressing these challenges as blockchain and Web 3.0 evolves becomes crucial to unlocking their full potential. Research and innovation in these areas are essential to overcome scalability hurdles, enhance privacy mechanisms, establish application frameworks, and develop user-friendly solutions. By doing so, blockchain and Web 3.0 can realize their promise of transforming industries, empowering individuals, and shaping the future of the digital landscape.

This Special Issue aims to solicit original and unpublished papers that contribute theoretical and practical proposals in various research areas of blockchain and Web 3.0. The primary focus is on exploring applications and addressing associated challenges. Authors are encouraged to submit articles that identify existing problems and challenges while providing suggestions for their resolution. Moreover, contributions discussing the revolutionary prospects of blockchain and Web 3.0 technology and their real-life applications and implications are highly welcomed. This Special Issue welcomes review articles, survey papers, and technical papers. While the following topic areas are highlighted, submissions covering other related subjects are also encouraged:

  • Blockchain theories and their evolution;
  • Smart contracts techniques and solutions;
  • Distributed consensus and network design in various applications;
  • Issues of security and privacy surrounding blockchain and Web 3.0 technology;
  • Performance optimization of blockchain systems;
  • Integration of blockchain with other emerging technologies;
  • Cryptocurrency theories, methods, and applications;
  • Transaction mining and analysis;
  • Economics and game theoretic analysis of cryptocurrency protocols;
  • Usability and user studies;
  • Case studies (e.g., of adoption, attacks, forks, scams, etc.).

Prof. Dr. Qiang Qu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Future Internet is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • blockchain
  • smart contract
  • cryptocurrency
  • security and privacy
  • distributed consensus and networks
  • transaction analysis

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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35 pages, 550 KiB  
Article
Decentralized Identity Management for Internet of Things (IoT) Devices Using IOTA Blockchain Technology
by Tamai Ramírez-Gordillo, Antonio Maciá-Lillo, Francisco A. Pujol, Nahuel García-D’Urso, Jorge Azorín-López and Higinio Mora
Future Internet 2025, 17(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi17010049 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1833
Abstract
The exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) necessitates robust, scalable, and secure identity management solutions to handle the vast number of interconnected devices. Traditional centralized identity systems are increasingly inadequate due to their vulnerabilities, such as single points of failure, scalability [...] Read more.
The exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) necessitates robust, scalable, and secure identity management solutions to handle the vast number of interconnected devices. Traditional centralized identity systems are increasingly inadequate due to their vulnerabilities, such as single points of failure, scalability issues, and limited user control over data. This study explores a decentralized identity management model leveraging the IOTA Tangle, a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG)-based distributed ledger technology, to address these challenges. By integrating Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), Verifiable Credentials (VCs), and IOTA-specific technologies like IOTA Identity, IOTA Streams, and IOTA Stronghold, we propose a proof-of-concept framework that enhances security, scalability, and privacy in IoT ecosystems. Our implementation on resource-constrained IoT devices demonstrates the feasibility of this approach, highlighting significant improvements in transaction efficiency, real-time data exchange, and cryptographic key management. Furthermore, this research aligns with Web 3.0 principles, emphasizing decentralization, user autonomy, and data sovereignty. The findings suggest that IOTA-based solutions can effectively advance secure and user-centric identity management in IoT, paving the way for broader applications in various domains, including smart cities and healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain and Web 3.0: Applications, Challenges and Future Trends—Volume II)
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29 pages, 1043 KiB  
Article
Exploiting Blockchain Technology for Enhancing Digital Twins’ Security and Transparency
by Alessio Ferone and Stefano Verrilli
Future Internet 2025, 17(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi17010031 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1247
Abstract
Blockchain technology has been applied in a wide range of domains and has seen major developments in the last years, notably when integrated with other emerging technologies. In this paper, we focus on the integration of blockchain and digital twins with the aim [...] Read more.
Blockchain technology has been applied in a wide range of domains and has seen major developments in the last years, notably when integrated with other emerging technologies. In this paper, we focus on the integration of blockchain and digital twins with the aim of enhancing the capabilities of both technologies. In particular, we demonstrate how blockchain can improve critical aspects of the security and transparency of digital twins by analyzing a real-world scenario and evaluating produced experimental data. This research identifies and addresses critical vulnerabilities in digital twins, particularly data integrity and transparency, through blockchain-based validation mechanisms and smart-contract integration. Various blockchain-related and digital twin-related technologies are employed to enable the repeatability of the suggested approach. Additionally, an in-depth analysis of such integration is provided to facilitate a symbiotic relationship between these technologies by addressing key challenges, such as scalability, interoperability, and performance, along with viable solutions that could advance their co-evolution in both academic research and industrial applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain and Web 3.0: Applications, Challenges and Future Trends—Volume II)
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27 pages, 17452 KiB  
Article
Decentralizing Democracy: Secure and Transparent E-Voting Systems with Blockchain Technology in the Context of Palestine
by Eman Daraghmi, Ahmed Hamoudi and Mamoun Abu Helou
Future Internet 2024, 16(11), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi16110388 - 23 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4169
Abstract
Elections and voting play a crucial role in the development of a democratic society, enabling the public to express their views and participate in the decision-making process. Voting methods have evolved from paper ballot systems to e-voting systems to preserve the integrity of [...] Read more.
Elections and voting play a crucial role in the development of a democratic society, enabling the public to express their views and participate in the decision-making process. Voting methods have evolved from paper ballot systems to e-voting systems to preserve the integrity of votes, ensuring a secure, transparent, and verifiable process. Continuous efforts have been made to develop a secure e-voting system that eliminates fraud attempts and provides accurate voting results. In this paper, we propose the architecture of a blockchain-based e-voting system called VoteChain. Developed to support the existing voting system in the state of Palestine, VoteChain aims to provide secure e-voting with features such as auditability, verifiability, accuracy, privacy, flexibility, transparency, mobility, availability, convenience, data integrity, and distribution of authority. The work introduces a smart contract designed to meet the demands of e-voting, governing transactions, monitoring computations, enforcing acceptable usage policies, and managing data usage after transmission. The proposed system also adopts advanced cryptographic techniques to enhance security. VoteChain features a web-based interface to facilitate user interaction, providing protection against multiple or double voting to ensure the integrity of the election. Furthermore, VoteChain is designed with a user-friendly and easily accessible administrator interface for managing voters, constituencies, and candidates. It ensures equal participation rights for all voters, fostering fair and healthy competition among candidates while preserving voter anonymity. A comparative analysis demonstrates VoteChain’s advancements in privacy, security, and scalability over both traditional and blockchain-based e-voting systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain and Web 3.0: Applications, Challenges and Future Trends—Volume II)
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Review

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30 pages, 3400 KiB  
Review
AI Agents Meet Blockchain: A Survey on Secure and Scalable Collaboration for Multi-Agents
by Md Monjurul Karim, Dong Hoang Van, Sangeen Khan, Qiang Qu and Yaroslav Kholodov
Future Internet 2025, 17(2), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi17020057 - 2 Feb 2025
Viewed by 2498
Abstract
In recent years, the interplay between AI agents and blockchain has enabled secure and scalable collaboration among multi-agent systems, promoting unprecedented levels of autonomy and interoperability. AI agents play a vital role in facilitating complex decision making and improving operational efficiency in blockchain [...] Read more.
In recent years, the interplay between AI agents and blockchain has enabled secure and scalable collaboration among multi-agent systems, promoting unprecedented levels of autonomy and interoperability. AI agents play a vital role in facilitating complex decision making and improving operational efficiency in blockchain systems. This collaborative synergy is particularly evident in how multi-agent systems collectively tackle complex tasks to ensure seamless integration within these frameworks. While significant efforts have been made to integrate AI agents and blockchain, most studies overlook the broader potential of AI agents in addressing challenges such as interoperability, scalability, and privacy issues. In this paper, we bridge these gaps by illustrating the interplay between AI agents and blockchain. Specifically, we explore how AI agents enhance decentralized systems and examine blockchain’s role in enabling secure and scalable collaboration. Furthermore, we categorize practical applications across domains, such as Web3, decentralized finance (DeFi), asset management, and autonomous systems, providing practical insights and real-world use cases. Additionally, we identify key research challenges, including the complexities of multi-agent coordination, interoperability across diverse systems, and privacy maintenance in decentralized frameworks. Finally, we offer future directions in terms of governance, sovereignty, computation, and interpretability to promote a secure and responsible ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain and Web 3.0: Applications, Challenges and Future Trends—Volume II)
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16 pages, 456 KiB  
Review
A Survey on Data Availability in Layer 2 Blockchain Rollups: Open Challenges and Future Improvements
by Muhammad Bin Saif, Sara Migliorini and Fausto Spoto
Future Internet 2024, 16(9), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi16090315 - 29 Aug 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2628
Abstract
Layer 2 solutions have emerged in recent years as a valuable alternative to increase the throughput and scalability of blockchain-based architectures. The three primary types of Layer 2 solutions are state channels, sidechains, and rollups. The rollups are particularly promising, allowing significant improvements [...] Read more.
Layer 2 solutions have emerged in recent years as a valuable alternative to increase the throughput and scalability of blockchain-based architectures. The three primary types of Layer 2 solutions are state channels, sidechains, and rollups. The rollups are particularly promising, allowing significant improvements in transaction throughput, security, and efficiency, and have been adopted by many real-world projects, such as Polygon and Optimistic. However, the adoption of Layer 2 solutions has led to other challenges, such as the data availability problem, where transaction data processed off-chain must be posted back on the main chain. This is crucial to prevent data withholding attacks and ensure all participants can independently verify the blockchain state. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of existing rollup-based Layer 2 solutions with a focus on the data availability problem and discusses the major advantages and disadvantages of them. Finally, an analysis of open challenges and future research directions is provided. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain and Web 3.0: Applications, Challenges and Future Trends—Volume II)
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