Blockchain Use in Open-Access Academic Publishing

Abstract

The landscape of academic publishing is at a pivotal juncture, as open-access (OA) models have increasingly replaced traditional subscription-based systems to promote global knowledge sharing. Despite their promise, OA publishing still suffers from critical limitations such as escalating article processing charges (APCs), inequitable participation from researchers in developing regions, predatory journals that undermine credibility, and opaque peer-review mechanisms. Blockchain technology, characterized by its decentralization, immutability, and transparency, offers disruptive potential to address these challenges. This study critically explores the use of blockchain in open-access publishing by integrating bibliometric analysis, survey data from 350 international researchers, and case study evaluation of existing blockchain-based publishing platforms. Findings reveal that blockchain can transform scholarly communication through transparent peer-review records, decentralized copyright protection, verifiable citation tracking, and tokenized incentive mechanisms for equitable funding. Statistical analysis highlights that 64% of researchers identify APCs as the primary barrier, while 57% emphasize the lack of transparent peer review—both of which blockchain directly addresses. Nevertheless, unresolved issues of scalability, governance, and long-term sustainability indicate that blockchain cannot function as a standalone solution. Instead, a hybrid model integrating blockchain with institutional and governmental oversight emerges as the most feasible pathway. This study contributes to the discourse on reimagining scholarly publishing by presenting blockchain not as a technological trend, but as a foundational tool for creating a democratized, transparent, and inclusive knowledge ecosystem.