Overview
ISO 22739:2024 - Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies - Vocabulary is the second edition of the ISO international standard that defines fundamental terminology for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT). Prepared by ISO/TC 307, the document standardizes terms such as block, blockchain, consensus, cryptoasset, immutability, DLT node, DLT oracle, and many more to ensure consistent use of language across standards, industry, regulation and research.
Key topics and technical scope
This vocabulary standard:
- Provides clear terms and definitions used across the DLT / blockchain domain (blocks, block headers, block data, confirmed transaction, finality, Merkle tree, hash function/hash link, etc.).
- Covers concepts related to architecture and operation: DLT system, DLT node, DLT platform, DLT network, ledger records, mining, consensus mechanism.
- Defines asset- and identity-related terms: digital asset, cryptoasset, cryptocurrency, decentralized identifier (DID), decentralized identity.
- Includes governance, interoperability and operational properties: DLT governance, interoperability, immutability, fault tolerance, finality, ledger split (fork).
- Follows ISO/TC 37 rules for terminology and includes a bibliography and index for cross-reference. The second edition cancels and replaces ISO 22739:2020 with additional terms and definitions.
Practical applications
ISO 22739:2024 is a foundational reference that enables:
- Consistent specification and technical documentation for blockchain implementations, APIs and protocols.
- Clear regulatory and legal drafting by providing agreed definitions for terms such as cryptoasset and finality.
- Better interoperability and system design by aligning terminology between different DLT platforms and external systems.
- Improved procurement, auditing and compliance activities by reducing ambiguity in contracts and standards.
- Education, training and research through a standardized blockchain glossary that supports teaching, white papers and standards development.
Who uses this standard
- Solution architects, software developers and tool vendors building DLT platforms and decentralized applications (DApps).
- Regulators, legal teams and auditors working on cryptoasset, payment and digital-identity frameworks.
- Standards developers, academics and consultants who need a consistent DLT vocabulary.
- Enterprise and government stakeholders procuring or operating blockchain-based systems.
Related standards
- This edition references existing ISO/IEC terminology sources and replaces ISO 22739:2020. It aligns with ISO/TC 307 work on DLT standards and cites related standards (e.g., ISO 19299:2020, ISO/IEC 10118-1:2016) where source definitions are adopted or modified.
Keywords: ISO 22739:2024, blockchain vocabulary, distributed ledger technologies, DLT terminology, blockchain glossary, cryptoasset, consensus, immutability, DLT governance, interoperability.
