Biomedical data underpins scientific discovery, and open science offers the potential to accelerate innovation through the unrestricted sharing of knowledge, methodologies, and datasets. However, the open science dilemma persists, as researchers hesitate to share data due to privacy concerns, intellectual property risks, and lack of recognition. Stringent data privacy regulations further compound these challenges, limiting data sharing. To address these barriers, we propose the Cryptographic Open Science (COS) framework, integrating advanced technologies for secure, privacy-preserving, and incentivized data sharing. Blockchain technology provides immutable records of data ownership and usage, enhancing transparency and trust, while smart contracts automate access controls and enforce compliance. However, blockchain alone does not prevent loss of control over plaintext data once released. COS incorporates Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) to allow computations on encrypted data, ensuring end-to-end confidentiality and maintaining full ownership control. Recognizing that privacy alone does not incentivize sharing, COS introduces a crypto token-based system to create a market-driven flywheel. This system rewards contributors and aligns stakeholder interests, promoting active data sharing. By integrating blockchain, FHE, and token-based incentives, COS bridges the gap between the ideals of open science and the practical concerns of data providers, accelerating progress in fields like precision medicine and genomics.

Decentralized IoT-networks are part of a broader class of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN), which use blockchain to decentralize, incentivize, and reward the operation and maintenance of technical infrastructure. This study examines how decentralized IoT-networks can address challenges in the design and governance of environmental data streams and reduce adoption barriers for monitoring infrastructure. It draws on the deployment of IoT sensors for measuring environmental variables in a community-based urban restoration project in Nairobi, Kenya. The paper discusses technical features and presents observations on network reliability, reductions in operational costs, accessibility, and community participation. The findings suggest that decentralized IoT systems hold promise for enhancing distributed environmental data collection and transparent multi-party governance, due to significant reductions in operational costs, the potential for fractional income generation, traceable data trails, and inclusive governance mechanisms.

Introduction Digital identity infrastructures used in electronic passports, national eID schemes, and federated authentication systems rely predominantly on centralised registries and classical public key cryptography. These architectures enable large-scale identity correlation, mass data aggregation, and single points of compromise, while remaining vulnerable to quantum attacks against RSA and elliptic-curve cryptography. There is no deployed identity framework that simultaneously provides post-quantum security, cryptographic privacy guarantees, and decentralised trust. Methods This study proposes a quantum-proof digital passport architecture combining lattice-based post-quantum cryptography, decentralised blockchain identifiers, and transformer-based decentralised artificial intelligence. The framework employs NIST-aligned post-quantum key encapsulation and digital signatures, zero-knowledge proofs for selective disclosure of identity attributes, and homomorphic encryption for encrypted identity verification. Blockchain oracles and decentralised identifiers enforce credential integrity and auditability without reliance on central identity providers. Transformer attention mechanisms support adaptive identity validation while preventing persistent identity profiling. Results Architectural analysis shows that the proposed system prevents quantum-enabled credential forgery, retrospective decryption, and cross-service identity linkability. Zero-knowledge verification removes plaintext exposure of personal data, and decentralised credential control eliminates central compromise vectors. The design remains interoperable with existing passport and eID infrastructures. Discussion The results demonstrate that secure post-quantum digital identity requires the combined application of quantum-resistant cryptography, decentralised governance, and cryptographic privacy enforcement.

Introduction Identity is the cornerstone of trust in modern society, yet current systems remain fragmented, document-based, and restricted by national boundaries. Physical passports, national identity cards, and paper records continue to define global mobility and access to services, despite being vulnerable to fraud, inefficiency, and exclusion. In today’s hyperconnected world, human mobility and digital finance have outgrown the boundaries of national identity systems. A traveller can fly from Kigali to London, study in Dubai, and work remotely for a company in Singapore, yet must repeatedly prove who they are through different passports, bank documents, and local IDs. This fragmentation slows innovation, increases compliance costs, and excludes millions who live or work across borders. Methods This paper argues for the establishment of a universal digital identity (UDI) hosted on a decentralised blockchain network. Under this model, each individual undergoes a one-time biometric enrolment capturing face, fingerprint, and voice data secured through cryptographic hashing and immutably stored on a blockchain ledger. A unique digital identity number (UDIN) is then generated, enabling retrieval of identity records worldwide by authorised institutions. Verification may occur in two ways: by presenting the UDIN or by frictionless biometric authentication, such as smiling at a camera or placing a finger on a scanner, instantly confirming identity against the blockchain. Results This system eliminates the need for physical documents, reduces fraud, lowers compliance costs, and enhances global mobility and inclusion. With one ID recognised globally, a person can open a bank account in any country, cross borders securely, and interact in the global economy without friction, paperwork, or repeated verification. Discussion The paper sets out the vision, necessity, operational framework, and implications of a blockchain-based UDI, arguing that such a transformation is both inevitable and essential for the future of the digital economy. The Universal Digital Identity (UDI) envisions a world where a single, verifiable digital credential enables seamless travel, banking, and access to services anywhere on the planet.

In response to the problems of single point of failure risk and poor scalability in current network security construction, this article applies an information model operation and maintenance data network security construction method based on partitioned blockchain. The effectiveness and advantages of the partitioned blockchain method used is evaluated in a comparison with traditional models. The research results show that the overall recall rate of the adopted method for daily network attacks is very high. Compared with traditional models, the CPU and memory usage are lower, ensuring the scalability and efficiency of blockchain while achieving a more reliable information operation and maintenance.

IntroductionThe decentralised nature of blockchain technology challenges traditional legal frameworks, creating regulatory gaps in asset classification, taxation, and consumer protection. In Europe, divergent approaches, from specialised blockchain laws to adaptations of general financial legislation, hinder cross-border deployment and limit blockchain’s potential. These disparities make compliance difficult for firms and increase the risks for consumers. This study compares blockchain regulations across six European geographies: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Malta (blockchain-specialised regulators) versus the European Union (EU), Estonia, and Portugal (generalist regulators) to map key divergences in legal maturity, asset classification, taxation, anti-money laundering/know-your-customer enforcement, and supervisory structures. A secondary objective is to evaluate how these differences impact the scalability of innovation.MethodsThis study compares blockchain regulations across six European jurisdictions through a three-phase analysis. The scoping phase identified five regulatory themes and selected geographies based on maturity, innovation, and economic specialisation. Primary legal texts and policy data (2020–2025) were analysed to map convergences and divergences between blockchain-specialised and generalist regulators.ResultsThe comparison reveals differences: blockchain-specialised geographies have dedicated Distributed Ledger Technology laws, centralised oversight, and crypto-friendly tax regimes; for example, Switzerland exempts private capital gains, and Malta offers Value Added Tax exemptions. In contrast, generalist regulators, such as the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which theoretically harmonise rules, face inconsistent enforcement across member states. Meanwhile, Portugal’s tax exemptions and Estonia’s rigid capital requirements create opposing market incentives. Only Liechtenstein’s Blockchain Act comprehensively regulates Decentralised Finance, whereas other geographies either adapt existing financial regulations or do not regulate it. NFTs face fragmented treatment, are excluded under MiCA, classified as securities in Estonia, and left to case-by-case analysis in Switzerland, which contributes to market uncertainty.DiscussionThis study reveals a tension in blockchain governance: specialised geographies demonstrate that comprehensive, tailored frameworks foster mature ecosystems. Conversely, generalist approaches struggle with fragmentation, as seen in MiCA’s uneven enforcement and Estonia’s restrictive licensing. Yet, regulatory ambiguity carries paradoxical benefits; Portugal’s minimal rules and the EU’s transitional gaps have also fueled competitive innovation. For policymakers, these results underscore the importance of striking a balance between oversight and flexibility to foster and scale up innovation.

IntroductionOrganoids are living, patient-derived tumor models that are revolutionizing precision medicine and drug development, however current privacy practices strip identifiers, thereby undermining ethics, efficiency, and effectiveness for patients and research enterprises alike. Decentralized biobanking “de-bi” applies non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to empower privacy-preserving specimen tracking and data sharing for networks of scientists, donors, and physicians. We design, develop, and demonstrate a functional de-bi platform for a real-world organoid biobank.MethodsEthnography of the organoid biobanking ecosystem was performed in 2022–2023, with site visits, interviews, focus groups, and structured observations of stakeholder interactions. An initial ERC-721 prototype was developed and tested, informing the design of a comprehensive NFT model. Web and mobile app prototypes were developed with a suite of ERC-1155 protocols representing ecosystem constituents as NFTs. We demonstrated the platform with publicly available Human Cancer Models Initiatives organoids to establish proof-of-concept for decentralized biobanking as the foundation of a democratized biomedical metaverse, or “biomediverse.”ResultsScientists revealed key challenges for organoid research and development under policy, scientific, and economic constraints of the life science landscape. We advanced decentralized biobanking as a blockchain overlay network solution with potential to overcome barriers, enhance utility and unlock value by uniting collaborators in a privacy-preserving biomediverse. Dedicated smart contracts created “soulbound” NFTs as de-identified digital twins of patients, physicians, and scientists in a networked organoid ecosystem. We modeled biospecimen collection, processing, and distribution, including generation and expansion of organoids, via an auditable on-chain mechanism. Key features included the ability to bootstrap the digital twin NFT model onto an established organoid biobank, visibility of patient-linked biospecimens and related research activities for all ecosystem participants, as well as tooling for multisided data exchange. Implementing de-bi with ERC-1155 showed potential to minimize gas costs of on-chain activity vs ERC-721, though complementary layer-2 solutions will be essential for economic viability.ConclusionDecentralized biobanking has the potential to enhance efficiency, increase translational impact and drive research discovery through implementation of NFT digital twins for organoid research networks. Importantly, this approach also bolsters ethical practices by fostering inclusion, ensuring transparency, and enhancing accountability across the research ecosystem. Next steps include live pilot testing, market design research to align stakeholder incentives, and technical solutions to support a sustainable, scalable and mutually rewarding biomediverse.

Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) has become a critical technology for efficiently searching and retrieving images from large datasets based on their visual content. Traditional CBIR systems, which rely on low-level features like color, texture, and shape, often struggle with semantic gaps and scalability issues. With the rapid advancements in deep learning and cloud computing, there is a growing need to enhance CBIR performance for real-world applications. In order to tackle the issues, an enhanced CBIR process leveraging advanced neural networks, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Siamese Networks, and attention mechanisms is proposed. It integrates multimodal data, including text and audio, to improve retrieval accuracy. Additionally, cloud-based infrastructure is employed to support large-scale image processing, enabling faster retrieval times and real-time performance. Edge computing techniques are also incorporated to reduce latency in applications requiring immediate responses. The proposed model demonstrates significant improvements in retrieval accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional CBIR methods. Deep learning models, particularly CNNs with transfer learning and attention mechanisms, effectively capture high-level semantic features. The integration of cloud infrastructure enhances scalability and real-time processing capabilities, while multimodal retrieval improves search relevance. The use of explainable AI techniques adds transparency to the decision-making process, increasing user trust. Hence, the advanced neural networks, coupled with cloud and edge computing, can significantly optimize CBIR systems, making them more robust, scalable, and applicable to a wide range of industries such as healthcare, security, and e-commerce.

This investigation evaluates blockchain’s dichotomous effects on auditing through systematic literature synthesis and comparative case studies of Big Four accounting firms. Empirical evidence demonstrates that distributed ledger technology enhances audit efficacy through automated transaction authentication (exemplified by PwC’s 90% temporal reduction in reconciliation protocols) and machine learning-powered anomaly detection algorithms, enabling comprehensive audit sampling and continuous monitoring capabilities. Persistent technical risks remain, notably 51% consensus vulnerabilities, self-executing contract exposures, and throughput constraints in decentralized architectures, which collectively compromise system integrity. Furthermore, regulatory lacunae in cross-jurisdictional compliance frameworks and practitioners' competency deficits in cryptographic validation techniques substantially impede technological assimilation. The analysis substantiates three critical imperatives: (1) harmonized regulatory frameworks with Turing-complete compliance protocols, (2) cross-disciplinary human capital development initiatives, and (3) applied research on heterogeneous system interoperability. Strategic mitigation of these implementation barriers could transition auditing toward cryptographic trust ecosystems, contingent upon synergistic collaboration between regulatory bodies establishing adaptive governance models, corporate entities developing hybrid audit architectures, and academic institutions advancing validation methodologies.