Title: Navigating the next wave with innovations in distributed ledger frameworks

Authors: Venkata Surendra Kumar; Sukhwinder Sharma; Sudha Kiran Kumar Gatala; Tirupathi Rao Bammidi; Ravi Kumar Batchu; Anil Kumar Vadlamudi

Addresses: Department Application Service Delivery, Intellect Business, Houston, USA ' Department of Data Science and Engineering, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India ' Department of Banking and Financial Services, LTI Mindtree, New Jersey, USA ' Department of Application Service Delivery, Mphasis Corp., New Jersey, USA ' Department of Information Technology, SMARC Solutions, California, USA ' Department of Application Service Delivery, Aryadit Solutions Inc., New Jersey, USA

Abstract: The latest study sheds light on distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) outside blockchain systems. The first section of this article introduces DLTs, focusing on blockchain as the main paradigm. It highlights three critical characteristics of blockchain: decentralisation, transparency, and security, and emphasises how blockchain is transforming various industries, including supply chain management and finance. Subsequently, the discussion shifts to new developments and approaches in the DLT space. It introduces next-generation ledgers designed to address traditional blockchains' scalability, energy efficiency, and interoperability challenges. The study delves into modern innovations that achieve higher transaction speeds and greater flexibility, such as hybrid models and directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). A significant portion is dedicated to how these advanced DLTs are used to transform sectors like healthcare government, secure patient data management, and enhance transparency and citizen participation. The article also addresses the challenges and ethical considerations of using these technologies. Finally, the paper predicts that DLTs will improve efficiency and innovation in industries outside blockchain technology. To maximise these new technologies' potential, research and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential.

Keywords: blockchain; decentralisation; cryptocurrency; smart contracts; ledger security; distributed computing; digital identity; interoperability; scalability; tokenisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCIS.2026.151573

International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, 2026 Vol.22 No.1, pp.1 - 24

Received: 22 Jan 2024
Accepted: 22 May 2024
Published online: 09 Feb 2026 *

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