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Drawing the boundaries between Blockchain and Blockchain-like systems: A Comprehensive Survey on Distributed Ledger Technologies

Badr Bellaj, Aafaf Ouaddah, Noel Crespi, Abdelatif Mezrioui, Emmanuel Bertin

TL;DR

This survey seeks to offer a comprehensive and current assessment of existing blockchains and their variations while delineating the boundaries between blockchain and blockchain-like systems, and proposes a holistic reference model for conceptualizing and analyzing these systems.

Abstract

Bitcoin's global success has led to the rise of blockchain, but many systems labeled as "blockchain" deviate from its core principles, adding complexity to the ecosystem. This survey addresses the need for a comprehensive review and taxonomy to clarify the differences between blockchain and blockchain-like systems. We propose a reference model with four key layers: data, consensus, execution, and application, and introduce a new taxonomy for better classification. Through a qualitative and quantitative analysis of 44 DLT solutions and 26 consensus mechanisms, we highlight key challenges and offer research directions in the field.

Drawing the boundaries between Blockchain and Blockchain-like systems: A Comprehensive Survey on Distributed Ledger Technologies

TL;DR

This survey seeks to offer a comprehensive and current assessment of existing blockchains and their variations while delineating the boundaries between blockchain and blockchain-like systems, and proposes a holistic reference model for conceptualizing and analyzing these systems.

Abstract

Bitcoin's global success has led to the rise of blockchain, but many systems labeled as "blockchain" deviate from its core principles, adding complexity to the ecosystem. This survey addresses the need for a comprehensive review and taxonomy to clarify the differences between blockchain and blockchain-like systems. We propose a reference model with four key layers: data, consensus, execution, and application, and introduce a new taxonomy for better classification. Through a qualitative and quantitative analysis of 44 DLT solutions and 26 consensus mechanisms, we highlight key challenges and offer research directions in the field.
Paper Structure (173 sections, 21 figures, 13 tables)

This paper contains 173 sections, 21 figures, 13 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Motivation, aims and impact of the survey
  3. Problem statement and motivations
  4. Our proposed approach and methodology
  5. Results and impact of the survey
  6. Contributions
  7. Paper’s Organization
  8. Comparison with existing surveys and tutorials
  9. Survey’s approach and methodology
  10. HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
  11. Contextualized History
  12. Terminology and Background
  13. DCEA Framework: A Taxonomy-Oriented Approach to Conceptualize and Explore Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs)
  14. Introduction to the DCEA Framework
  15. Distinguishing Between Blockchain and Blockchain-Like Systems
  16. ...and 158 more sections

Figures (21)

  • Figure 1: Search and selection strategy, depicting a process model for a single layer.
  • Figure 2: Communication phases in a blockchain P2P network (Bitcoin)
  • Figure 3: According to our definition, a system resembling a blockchain can only possess two of these specified traits.
  • Figure 4: A graphical dichotomous key for distinguishing between blockchain and blockchain-like systems
  • Figure 5: Layered taxonomy of DLT systems (With references to the corresponding sections and subsection)
  • ...and 16 more figures