Regulatory Landscape and Compliance in Blockchain Adoption for Sustainable Information Management
摘要
This chapter explores the intersection of blockchain technology, regulatory compliance, and sustainable information management. As blockchain emerges as a foundational technology for secure, transparent, and decentralised data systems, its adoption is increasingly shaping how institutions manage information across critical sectors. However, aligning blockchain’s unique features with existing legal and regulatory frameworks presents notable challenges. The chapter examines the complexities of integrating blockchain in sectors such as construction and infrastructure, where legal accountability, data privacy, and smart contract enforceability are paramount. It highlights the importance of institutional readiness, governance models, and compliance strategies—including compliance-by-design, interoperability standards, decentralised identity mechanisms, and real-time auditability—as tools for ensuring regulatory alignment. Ethical considerations such as data ownership, environmental sustainability, and inclusion are also addressed, underscoring the need for blockchain systems to reflect broader social values. The discussion extends to global and regional regulatory trends, identifying gaps and inconsistencies that necessitate harmonised international policy responses. Furthermore, the chapter outlines strategic policy directions that can foster innovation while ensuring legal certainty and public trust. These include the development of adaptive regulatory frameworks, capacity-building initiatives, regulatory sandboxes, and the integration of sustainability principles into blockchain governance. Ultimately, the chapter advocates for a proactive, interdisciplinary approach to policymaking that positions blockchain as a key enabler of sustainable digital transformation.