SoK: unified blockchain data structure
File(s)SoK__Unified_Blockchain_Data_Structure.pdf (567.23 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Over the last 15 years, blockchain technologies have evolved into a heterogeneous ecosystem with numerous
practical applications. The diversity of blockchain data models – ranging from UTxO-based to account-based systems and evolving towards smart contract platforms – has led to fragmentation in how blockchain data is stored, accessed, and analysed. This heterogeneity hinders interoperability, complicates cross-chain analytics, and limits reproducibility in blockchain research. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of blockchain data
unification, covering a wide range of academic and commercial approaches. We examine their underlying data structures and identify key limitations in existing solutions. Building on these insights, we propose a unified data model that abstracts and flattens token transfer data while capturing the semantics of both UTxO and account-based paradigms. We conclude by outlining future research directions to further validate and extend this model across diverse blockchain ecosystems.
practical applications. The diversity of blockchain data models – ranging from UTxO-based to account-based systems and evolving towards smart contract platforms – has led to fragmentation in how blockchain data is stored, accessed, and analysed. This heterogeneity hinders interoperability, complicates cross-chain analytics, and limits reproducibility in blockchain research. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of blockchain data
unification, covering a wide range of academic and commercial approaches. We examine their underlying data structures and identify key limitations in existing solutions. Building on these insights, we propose a unified data model that abstracts and flattens token transfer data while capturing the semantics of both UTxO and account-based paradigms. We conclude by outlining future research directions to further validate and extend this model across diverse blockchain ecosystems.
Date Acceptance
2025-06-27
Citation
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Blockchain Computing and Applications (IEEE BCCA 2025)
Publisher
IEEE
Journal / Book Title
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Blockchain Computing and Applications (IEEE BCCA 2025)
Copyright Statement
Subject to copyright. This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the author’s accepted manuscript will be made available under a CC-BY License in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy).
Source
The 7th International Conference on Blockchain Computing and Applications (BCCA 2025)
Publication Status
Accepted
Start Date
2025-10-14
Finish Date
2025-10-17
Coverage Spatial
Dubrovnik, Croatia