Blockchain-Enabled Trust Management and Security Frameworks for Next-Generation 6g And Internet of Things Ecosystems

Abstract

The convergence of Sixth-Generation (6G) wireless networks and the Internet of Things (IoT) introduces unprecedented opportunities in global connectivity, intelligent automation, and ultra-reliable communication. However, this integration also exposes systems to severe security threats, trust vulnerabilities, and data integrity challenges due to massive decentralization and heterogeneous device environments. Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative solution providing distributed trust, tamper-resistant storage, and autonomous security enforcement without centralized intermediaries. This paper examines the integration of blockchain into 6G/IoT networks, addressing its implications for trust management, security architectures, and system resilience. It presents a detailed overview of blockchain-based authentication, decentralized identity, smart-contract-driven automation, and scalable consensus models designed for ultra-dense networks. Furthermore, it outlines key challenges, future research opportunities, and the potential scope of blockchain as a foundational trust layer for next-generation 6G/IoT systems. 

KEYWORDS: Blockchain; 6G Networks; Internet of Things; Distributed Ledger; Security; Trust Management; Smart Contracts; Decentralized Identity; Edge Computing; Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC).