Overview
ISO/TR 25145:2026 is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Report that provides a comprehensive overview of blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the context of collections and collections management. This standard focuses on the practical application of DLT for managing both physical and digital collections, such as artwork, antiques, sports memorabilia, and music assets. It highlights the structure, roles, and operational considerations for implementing secure, verifiable, and interoperable DLT-based collections.
Key Topics
- DLT-based Collections: Defines how collections of digital or physical items are recorded and managed using blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, ensuring unique identification and tamper-resistance.
- Smart Contracts in Collections: Describes the role of smart contracts in managing creation, issuance, transfer, updating, and verification of collection items. Smart contracts ensure automation, enforce permissions, and enhance transparency.
- Implementation Considerations: Discusses important factors including role assignments (issuers, administrators, collectors, and auditors), service procedures, and interoperability mechanisms for connecting collections across different DLT platforms.
- Security and Risk Management: Addresses issues such as content risk, copyright, dispute resolution, proper authorization checks, and various aspects of cybersecurity, including data encryption, access control, and incident response.
- Interoperability: Emphasizes the need for cross-platform compatibility, standardization of data formats, and smart contract interoperability to support seamless trading and management of collections across diverse DLT systems.
Applications
ISO/TR 25145:2026 outlines several real-world applications of DLT-based collections including:
- Music Industry: Enables musicians and rights holders to create limited-edition digital assets linked to music, ensuring transparent royalties and secure ownership transfers for songs and albums.
- Sports Industry: Facilitates digital collectibles, such as tickets or collectible moments (e.g., NBA Top Shot), improving authenticity, reducing ticket fraud, and supporting fan engagement.
- Art Industry: Supports digital art platforms by allowing artists to tokenize and auction artwork, providing clear provenance and transparent, automated royalty distribution.
- Antique Industry: Records provenance, authenticity, and transactional history of antiques, increasing buyer confidence and supporting global digital exhibitions and trade.
- General Marketplace Integration: Expands access for creators and collectors, enabling decentralized, peer-to-peer trading without reliance on traditional intermediaries.
Related Standards
ISO/TR 25145:2026 is part of an expanding set of international standards on blockchain and DLT. Relevant related standards include:
- ISO 22739: Provides foundational terminology and definitions for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.
- ISO 18461: Addresses broader concepts related to collections management, especially in museums and digital asset environments.
- Other ISO/TC 307 Standards: Cover topics such as smart contracts, security, and interoperability frameworks for DLT systems.
By providing a structured overview and practical guidance, ISO/TR 25145:2026 advances the secure, transparent, and efficient management of digital and physical collections using blockchain and distributed ledger technology. This standard supports diverse industries in leveraging DLT for more reliable collections management, enhanced market access, and greater protection of creators’ rights.
Keywords: blockchain, distributed ledger technology, DLT-based collections, smart contracts, collections management, ISO/TR 25145, digital assets, interoperability, security, provenance, art, music, antiques, sports collectibles.