Work

Blockchain for the metaverse: Recent advances, taxonomy, and future challenges

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The metaverse is a shared virtual 3D space that combines immersive experiences with applications in gaming, social interactions, commerce, and more. It is rapidly becoming a reality, driven by advances in virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other emerging technologies. Among these, blockchain technology enables secure and decentralized ownership as well as seamless interoperability of virtual assets. Non-fungible tokens ensure verifiable ownership and fraud prevention, while smart contracts facilitate automated peer-to-peer transactions. Blockchain’s security and transparency promote trust and innovation, laying the foundation for a connected and user-driven metaverse ecosystem. In this paper, we explore the role of blockchain technology as a key enabler for the metaverse, providing solutions for decentralization, governance through decentralized autonomous organizations, interoperable mechanisms, digital asset ownership, traceability, auditing, and identity management. We present the key difference between traditional virtual worlds and the metaverse, and why blockchain is preferred over other decentralized technologies for the metaverse. We comprehensively review recent advances in metaverse system architectures, focusing on state-of-the-art solutions and lessons learned. We compare the existing literature based on key parameters; namely, contributions, advantages, limitations, and applications. We present key challenges, including deepfake threats, identity theft and brand infringement risks, mental health risks, digital safety and gambling risks, virtual world laws and regulations, and privacy and data security concerns. We outline future recommendations for enabling a sustainable and user-friendly metaverse ecosystem.

Source: Journal of Network and Computer Applications

DOI: 10.1016/j.jnca.2025.104355

Authors: Abdullah Yousafzai, Muhammad Mohsan Sheeraz, Ganna Pogrebna, Jon Crowcroft, Ibrar Yaqoob

Institutions: Charles Sturt University, University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Blockchain Technology Applications and Security

Subfield: Information Systems

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,120

Funder: Charles Sturt University