BLOCKCHAIN-BASED DECENTRALIZED IDENTITY FOR CROSS-BORDER AUTHENTICATION: ENHANCING CYBERSECURITY AND IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This study conducts a meta-analysis of scholarly and policy literature on blockchain as an enabler of decentralized digital identity with a specific focus on cross-border authentication and immigration contexts. The analysis integrates evidence from more than 200 reviewed publications spanning information systems, cryptography, law, governance, and humanitarian studies published between 2000 and 2022. Findings reveal a sharp increase in academic and policy attention since 2015, reflecting the growing recognition of identity as a critical application of blockchain beyond finance. Decentralized identity frameworks demonstrate substantial advantages over centralized and federated systems, including reductions in cyber vulnerabilities, improved privacy through zero-knowledge proofs and selective disclosure, and operational efficiency gains such as a 45 percent average reduction in authentication time. Evidence from pilot projects highlights measurable benefits in humanitarian contexts, where blockchain-based systems reduced aid distribution costs by up to 98 percent and provided refugees with portable credentials that preserved continuity of healthcare, education, and financial services across borders. Despite these advances, significant gaps persist in interoperability, scalability, governance, and inclusivity. Divergent national regulations and fragmented technical standards continue to limit cross-border adoption, while usability challenges and risks of digital exclusion hinder accessibility for vulnerable populations. The study concludes that blockchain-driven identity systems can deliver transformative improvements in security, privacy, and portability but require harmonized global standards, stronger governance frameworks, and inclusive design strategies to ensure equitable adoption. By synthesizing evidence across disciplines, this research contributes a comprehensive assessment of the current state and limitations of decentralized digital identity in cross-border contexts.