Blockchains for Internet of Things: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges
Yusen Wu, Ye Hu, Mingzhe Chen, Yelena Yesha, Mérouane Debbah
TL;DR
IoT data proliferation demands secure, scalable data sharing; the paper analyzes three blockchain paradigms—public, private, and permissioned/consortium—and maps them to IoT domains (edge AI, healthcare, and communications). It highlights strengths, weaknesses, and implementation needs, with concrete IoT applications such as TEE-based private smart contracts, federated learning integration, and off-chain storage for IoMT. The findings suggest permissioned blockchains are well-suited for privacy-sensitive and high-throughput IoT scenarios like edge AI and IoMT, while public blockchains excel in transparency and trust, and private blockchains offer efficient data exchange within trusted circles. Key challenges include energy efficiency, scalability, data pruning, legacy-system integration, interoperability, and incentive design, guiding future research toward cross-chain solutions and privacy-preserving architectures in IoT contexts.
Abstract
Internet of Things (IoT) services necessitate the storage, transmission, and analysis of diverse data for inference, autonomy, and control. Blockchains, with their inherent properties of decentralization and security, offer efficient database solutions for these devices through consensus-based data sharing. However, it's essential to recognize that not every blockchain system is suitable for specific IoT applications, and some might be more beneficial when excluded with privacy concerns. For example, public blockchains are not suitable for storing sensitive data. This paper presents a detailed review of three distinct blockchains tailored for enhancing IoT applications. We initially delve into the foundational aspects of three blockchain systems, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and implementation needs. Additionally, we discuss the security issues in different blockchains. Subsequently, we explore the blockchain's application in three pivotal IoT areas: edge AI, communications, and healthcare. We underscore potential challenges and the future directions for integrating different blockchains in IoT. Ultimately, this paper aims to offer a comprehensive perspective on the synergies between blockchains and the IoT ecosystem, highlighting the opportunities and complexities involved.