Sampling blockchain-enabled smart city applications among South Korea, the United States and China

Abstract

Blockchain technology is valuable due to the renowned characteristics, such as immutability, security, and transparency. Although blockchain’s effectiveness and efficiency are yet to be proven, its potential for resolving social issues is attracting the attention of public administrations, private entities, and individuals to adopt or develop this technology. In this paper, some of the most high-profile blockchain-enabled smart city applications in South Korea, the United States and China are sampled and reviewed. The goal is to explore blockchain-related regulations or legislation in each country, which is the underlying basis to allow the blockchain pilots to proceed. Then, each country’s key blockchain initiatives are explored using a top-down framework (i.e., central/federal government – provincial/state governments – city governments). Lastly, by summarizing those blockchain-based smart city projects, the challenges and observations are discussed.