Interoperability Issues Between Private and Public Blockchains
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63345/sjaibt.v2.i2.104Keywords:
Blockchain, Public Blockchain, Private Blockchain, Interoperability, Cross-Chain Protocols, Smart Contracts, Consensus Mechanisms, Distributed LedgerAbstract
Blockchain technology has evolved into a cornerstone of digital transformation by providing decentralized, transparent, and secure mechanisms for data management and value exchange. However, the rapid proliferation of heterogeneous blockchain platforms—ranging from public, permissionless systems such as Bitcoin and Ethereum to private, permissioned frameworks like Hyperledger Fabric and Corda—has resulted in significant fragmentation and siloed ecosystems. The inability of these platforms to interoperate seamlessly has become one of the most critical challenges hindering blockchain’s full potential. This study critically examines the interoperability issues between private and public blockchains, identifying the technical, architectural, regulatory, and governance barriers that prevent smooth integration.
The research integrates a systematic literature review, statistical enterprise adoption analysis, and comparative evaluation of real-world interoperability solutions (including Polkadot, Cosmos, and Hyperledger Cactus). Findings highlight five major categories of challenges: (1) consensus incompatibility between PoW/PoS-based public blockchains and PBFT/PoA-based private systems; (2) data schema and protocol mismatches leading to communication inefficiencies; (3) security vulnerabilities such as transaction replay attacks and oracle manipulation; (4) fragmented governance models complicating cross-chain trust frameworks; and (5) regulatory inconsistencies, especially concerning data privacy and compliance.
The study’s results underscore that while enterprises across finance, healthcare, supply chains, and government sectors report over 75% demand for interoperability, adoption of cross-chain solutions remains below 40%. Hybrid frameworks that balance privacy-preserving data management on private chains with verification and settlement on public blockchains emerge as the most promising approach.
By offering a consolidated framework for evaluating interoperability, this research contributes to both academic and industrial discourse. It further emphasizes the urgent need for standardization efforts, global regulatory harmonization, and open governance protocols. Ultimately, the findings demonstrate that achieving blockchain interoperability is not solely a technical pursuit but also an institutional, economic, and legal necessity for blockchain’s long-term viability and global adoption.
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