Blockchain technology is increasingly explored as an enabler of trust in collaborative networks, particularly within supply chain management (SCM). This paper investigates how trust functions as both a driver and a barrier in blockchain adoption, using a two-phase methodology: a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to identify key adoption factors and barriers, followed by an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) involving industry experts to prioritize them. Findings indicate that while technological factors such as interoperability and scalability are relevant, trust consistently emerged as a central dimension—affecting organizational readiness, inter-firm collaboration, and risk perception. Experts emphasized that blockchain’s potential lies less in its technical novelty and more in its ability to support transparent, secure, and decentralized coordination among diverse stakeholders. By integrating trust as a cross-cutting element, this study contributes to the theoretical framing of blockchain in socio-technical systems and provides actionable insights for organizations navigating digital transformation. The results highlight trust not only as a condition for adoption but also as a dynamic capability that must be built, maintained, and institutionalized within collaborative ecosystems.