INTERNATIONAL ISO

STANDARD 22739

First edition
2020-07

Blockchain and distributed ledger

technologies — Vocabulary
Chaîne de blocs et technologies de registres distribués — Vocabulaire

Reference number
ISO 22739:2020(E)

© ISO 2020
ISO 22739:2020(E)


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© ISO 2020
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 ISO 22739:2020(E)


Contents Page

Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... iv
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Terms and definitions...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

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Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www​.iso​.org/​directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www​.iso​.org/​patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www​.iso​.org/​
iso/​foreword​.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 307, Blockchain and distributed ledger
technologies.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www​.iso​.org/​members​.html.

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Introduction
This document defines basic terms relating to blockchain and distributed ledger technologies to clarify
the meaning of terms and concepts used in other document within the domain of ISO/TC 307 standards.
Clear, consistent and coherent standards require clear, consistent and coherent terminology. This
document follows rules and guidelines set by ISO/TC 37, Language and terminology, for terminology
standards.
This document applies to all types of organizations (e.g., commercial enterprises, government
agencies, not-for-profit organizations). The target audience includes but is not limited to academics,
solution architects, customers, users, tool developers, regulators, auditors and standards development
organizations.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 22739:2020(E)

Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies —

Vocabulary

1 Scope
This document provides fundamental terminology for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.

2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.

3 Terms and definitions

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://​w ww​.iso​.org/​obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://​w ww​.electropedia​.org/​
3.1
asset
anything that has value to a stakeholder
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19299:2015, 3.3, modified — Note 1 to entry has been removed.]
3.2
block
structured data comprising block data (3.3) and a block header (3.4)
3.3
block data
structured data comprising zero or more transaction records (3.79) or references to transaction
records (3.79)
3.4
block header
structured data that includes a cryptographic link (3.16) to the previous block (3.2) unless there is no
previous block (3.2)
Note 1 to entry: A block header can also contain a timestamp (3.75), a nonce (3.51), and other DLT platform (3.29)
specific data, including a hash value (3.39) of corresponding transaction records (3.79).

3.5
block reward
reward given to miners (3.48) or validators (3.83) after a block (3.2) is confirmed (3.8) in a blockchain
system (3.7)
Note 1 to entry: A reward can be in the form of a token (3.76) or cryptocurrency (3.14).

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3.6
blockchain
distributed ledger (3.22) with confirmed blocks (3.9) organized in an append-only, sequential chain using
cryptographic links (3.16)
Note 1 to entry: Blockchains are designed to be tamper resistant and to create final, definitive and immutable
(3.40) ledger records (3.44).

3.7
blockchain system
system that implements a blockchain (3.6)
Note 1 to entry: A blockchain system is a type of DLT system (3.30).

3.8
confirmed
accepted by consensus (3.11) for inclusion in a distributed ledger (3.22)
3.9
confirmed block
block (3.2) that has been confirmed (3.8)
3.10
confirmed transaction
transaction (3.77) that has been confirmed (3.8)
3.11
consensus
agreement among DLT nodes (3.27) that 1) a transaction (3.77) is validated (3.81) and 2) that the
distributed ledger (3.22) contains a consistent set and ordering of validated (3.81) transactions (3.77)
Note 1 to entry: Consensus does not necessarily mean that all DLT nodes (3.27) agree.

Note 2 to entry: The details regarding consensus differ among DLT (3.23) designs and this is a distinguishing
characteristic between one design and another.

3.12
consensus mechanism
rules and procedures by which consensus (3.11) is reached
3.13
crypto-asset
digital asset (3.20) implemented using cryptographic techniques
3.14
cryptocurrency
crypto-asset (3.13) designed to work as a medium of value exchange
Note 1 to entry: Cryptocurrency involves the use of decentralized control and cryptography (3.17) to secure
transactions (3.77), control the creation of additional assets (3.1), and verify the transfer of assets (3.1).

3.15
cryptographic hash function
function mapping binary strings of arbitrary length to binary strings of fixed length, such that it is
computationally costly to find for a given output an input that maps to the output, it is computationally
infeasible to find for a given input a second input that maps to the same output, and it is computationally
infeasible to find any two distinct inputs that map to the same output
Note 1 to entry: Computational feasibility depends on the specific security requirements and environment.

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3.16
cryptographic link
reference, constructed using a cryptographic hash function (3.15) technique, that points to data
Note 1 to entry: A cryptographic link is used in the block header (3.4) to reference the previous block (3.2) in
order to create the append-only, sequential chain that forms a blockchain (3.6).

3.17
cryptography
discipline that embodies the principles, means, and methods for the transformation of data in order to
hide their semantic content, prevent their unauthorized use, or prevent their undetected modification
[SOURCE: ISO 7498-2:1989, 3.3.20, modified — the NOTE has been removed.]
3.18
decentralized application
DApp
application that runs on a decentralized system (3.19)
3.19
decentralized system
distributed system (3.32) wherein control is distributed among the persons or organizations
participating in the operation of the system
Note 1 to entry: In a decentralized system, the distribution of control among persons or organizations
participating in the system is determined by the system’s design.

3.20
digital asset
asset (3.1) that exists only in digital form or which is the digital representation of another asset (3.1)
3.21
digital signature
data which, when appended to a digital object, enable the user of the digital object to authenticate its
origin and integrity
[SOURCE: ISO 14641:2018, 3.17, modified —"digital document" has been replaced with "digital object".]
3.22
distributed ledger
ledger (3.43) that is shared across a set of DLT nodes (3.27) and synchronized between the DLT nodes
using a consensus mechanism (3.12)
Note 1 to entry: A distributed ledger is designed to be tamper resistant, append-only and immutable (3.40)
containing confirmed (3.8) and validated (3.81) transactions (3.77).

3.23
DLT
distributed ledger technology
technology that enables the operation and use of distributed ledgers (3.22)
3.24
DLT account
distributed ledger technology account
representation of an entity (3.34) participating in a transaction (3.77)
Note 1 to entry: A smart contract (3.72), digital asset (3.20), or one or more private keys (3.62), for example, can
be associated with a DLT account.

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3.25
DLT address
distributed ledger technology address
value that identifies a DLT account (3.24) participating in a transaction (3.77)
3.26
DLT network
distributed ledger technology network
network of DLT nodes (3.27) which make up a DLT system (3.30)
3.27
DLT node
distributed ledger technology node
node
<distributed ledger technology> device or process that participates in a network and stores a complete
or partial replica of the ledger records (3.44)
3.28
DLT oracle
distributed ledger technology oracle
oracle
service that updates a distributed ledger (3.22) using data from outside of a DLT system (3.30)
Note 1 to entry: DLT oracles are useful for smart contracts (3.72) that cannot access sources of data external to
the DLT system (3.30).

3.29
DLT platform
distributed ledger technology platform
set of processing, storage and communication entities (3.34) which together provide the capabilities of
the DLT system (3.30) on each DLT node (3.27)
3.30
DLT system
distributed ledger system
distributed ledger technology system
system that implements a distributed ledger (3.22)
3.31
DLT user
distributed ledger technology user
entity (3.34) that uses services provided by a DLT system (3.30)
3.32
distributed system
system in which components located on networked computers communicate and coordinate their
actions by interacting with each other
3.33
double spending
failure (3.35) of a DLT platform (3.29) where the control of a token (3.76) or crypto-asset (3.13) is
incorrectly transferred more than once
Note 1 to entry: Double-spending is most often associated with cryptocurrency (3.14).

3.34
entity
item inside or outside an information and communication technology system, such as a person, an
organization, a device, a subsystem, or a group of such items that has recognizably distinct existence

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3.35
failure
loss of ability to perform as required
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-192:2015, 192-03-01, modified — Notes 1 to 3 to entry have been removed.]
3.36
fault tolerance
ability of a functional unit to continue to perform a required function in the presence of faults or errors
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 2382:2015, 2123055, modified — The admitted term "resilience" has been removed;
note 1 to 3 to entry have been removed.]
3.37
genesis block
first block (3.2) in a blockchain (3.6)
Note 1 to entry: A genesis block has no previous block (3.2) and serves to initialize the blockchain (3.6).

3.38
hard fork
change to a DLT platform (3.29) in which new ledger records (3.44) or blocks (3.2) created by the DLT
nodes (3.27) using the new version of the DLT platform (3.29) are not accepted as valid by DLT nodes
(3.27) using old versions of the DLT platform (3.29)
Note 1 to entry: If not adopted by all DLT nodes (3.27), a hard fork can result in a ledger split (3.45).

Note 2 to entry: In some contexts, the terms "hard fork" and " fork" (3.45) are sometimes used for a ledger split
(3.45) that results from a hard fork of a DLT platform (3.29).

3.39
hash value
string of bits which is the output of a cryptographic hash function (3.15)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 27037:2012, 3.11, modified — "cryptographic" has been added.]
3.40
immutability
property wherein ledger records (3.44) cannot be modified or removed once added to a distributed
ledger (3.22)
Note 1 to entry: Where appropriate, immutability also presumes keeping intact the order of ledger records (3.44)
and the links between the ledger records (3.44)

3.41
interoperability
ability of two or more systems or applications to exchange information and to mutually use the
information that has been exchanged
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17788:2014, 3.1.5]
3.42
leaf node
node (3.50) that has no child nodes (3.50)
3.43
ledger
information store that keeps records (3.67) of transactions (3.77) that are intended to be final, definitive
and immutable (3.40)

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3.44
ledger record
record (3.67) containing transaction records (3.79), hash values (3.39) of transaction records (3.79), or
references to transaction records (3.79) recorded on a distributed ledger (3.22)
Note 1 to entry: A reference can be implemented as a cryptographic link (3.16).

3.45
ledger split
fork
creation of two or more different versions of a distributed ledger (3.22) originating from a common
starting point with a single history
3.46
Merkle root
root node (3.69) of a Merkle tree (3.47)
3.47
Merkle tree
tree data structure in which every leaf node (3.42) is labelled with the hash value (3.39) of a data element
and every non-leaf node is labelled with the hash value (3.39) of the labels of its child nodes (3.50)
3.48
miner
DLT node (3.27) which engages in mining (3.49)
3.49
mining
activity, in some consensus mechanisms (3.12), that creates and validates (3.82) blocks (3.2) or validates
(3.82) ledger records (3.44)
Note 1 to entry: Participation in mining is often incentivized by block rewards (3.5) and transaction fees (3.78).

3.50
node
<organization of data> elementary component from which a data structure is built
3.51
nonce
number or bit string used once in a set of cryptographic operations
Note 1 to entry: A nonce is often random or pseudo-random. It is commonly used to guard against replay attacks,
where a message is captured and re-sent by a malicious actor. In some blockchain systems (3.7) it is used to
modulate mining (3.49) during the generation of a new block (3.2) and is stored in the block header (3.4)

3.52
off-chain
related to a blockchain system (3.7), but located, performed, or run outside that blockchain system (3.7)
3.53
off-ledger
related to a DLT system (3.30), but located, performed, or run outside that DLT system (3.30)
3.54
on-chain
located, performed, or run inside a blockchain system (3.7)
3.55
on-ledger
located, performed, or run inside a DLT system (3.30)

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3.56
peer-to-peer
relating to, using, or being a network of equal peers that share information and resources with each
other directly without relying on a central entity (3.34)
3.57
permissioned
requiring authorization to perform a particular activity or activities
3.58
permissioned DLT system
permissioned distributed ledger system
permissioned distributed ledger technology system
DLT system (3.30) in which permissions are required
3.59
permissionless
not requiring authorization to perform any particular activity
3.60
permissionless DLT system
permissionless distributed ledger system
permissionless distributed ledger technology system
DLT system (3.30) that is permissionless (3.59)
3.61
private DLT system
private distributed ledger system
private distributed ledger technology system
DLT system (3.30) that is accessible for use only to a limited group of DLT users (3.31)
Note 1 to entry: Public and private categories apply to DLT users (3.31), and permissioned (3.57) and permissionless
(3.59) categories apply to DLT users (3.31) and those entities (3.34) that administer or operate the DLT system (3.30).

3.62
private key
key of an entity's (3.34) asymmetric key pair that is kept secret and which should only be used by that
entity (3.34)
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 9798-1:2010, 3.22]
3.63
prune
produce a smaller replica of a distributed ledger (3.22) by removing all transaction records (3.79)
meeting specified criteria while ensuring that those transactions (3.77) can be restored with integrity
if needed
3.64
public DLT system
public distributed ledger system
public distributed ledger technology system
DLT system (3.30) which is accessible to the public for use
3.65
public key
key of an entity's (3.34) asymmetric key pair which can be made public
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 9798-1:2010, 3.25]

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3.66
public-key cryptography
cryptography (3.17) in which a public key (3.65) and a corresponding private key (3.62) are used
for encryption and decryption, or are used for verifying digital signatures and digitally signing,
respectively
3.67
record
information created, received and maintained as evidence and as an asset (3.1) by an organization or
person, in pursuit of legal obligations or in the transaction (3.77) of business
Note 1 to entry: This term applies to information in any medium, form or format.

[SOURCE: ISO 15489-1:2016, 3.14, modified — Note 1 to entry has been added.]
3.68
reward system
incentive mechanism
method of offering reward for some activities concerned with the operation of a DLT system (3.30)
Note 1 to entry: An example of a reward is a block reward (3.5).

3.69
root node
node (3.50) that has no parent node (3.50)
3.70
shared ledger
distributed ledger (3.22) in which the content of ledger records (3.44) is accessible by multiple
entities (3.34)
3.71
sidechain
blockchain system (3.7) that interoperates (3.41) with a separate associated blockchain system (3.7) to
perform a specific function in relation to the associated blockchain system (3.7)
Note 1 to entry: By convention the original chain is normally referred to as the "main chain", while any additional
blockchains (3.6) which allow DLT users (3.31) to transact on the main chain are referred to as "sidechains”.

3.72
smart contract
computer program stored in a DLT system (3.30) wherein the outcome of any execution of the program
is recorded on the distributed ledger (3.22)
Note 1 to entry: A smart contract can represent terms in a contract in law and create a legally enforceable
obligation under the legislation of an applicable jurisdiction.

3.73
soft fork
change to a DLT platform (3.29) that is not a hard fork (3.38) and in which some records (3.67) or blocks
(3.2) created by the DLT nodes (3.27) using the old version of the DLT platform (3.29) are not accepted
as valid (3.81) by DLT nodes (3.27) using new versions of the DLT platform (3.29)
3.74
subchain
logically separate chain that can form part of a blockchain system (3.7)
Note 1 to entry: A subchain allows for data isolation and confidentiality.

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3.75
timestamp
time variant parameter which denotes a point in time with respect to a common time reference
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 18014-1:2008, 3.12, modified - The space between "time" and "stamp" has been
removed.]
3.76
token
digital asset (3.20) that represents a collection of entitlements
3.77
transaction
smallest unit of a work process, which is one or more sequences of actions required to produce an
outcome that complies with governing rules
Note 1 to entry: Where appropriate, transaction is understood more narrowly, as the smallest unit of a work
process related to interactions with blockchains (3.6) or distributed ledgers (3.22).

3.78
transaction fee
fee paid to miners (3.48) or validators (3.83) for inclusion of a transaction (3.77) in a distributed
ledger (3.22)
3.79
transaction record
record (3.67) documenting a transaction (3.77) of any type
Note 1 to entry: Transaction records can be included in, or referred to, in a ledger record (3.44).

Note 2 to entry: Transaction records can include the result of a transaction (3.77).

3.80
trust
degree to which a user or other stakeholder has confidence that a product or system will behave as
expected by that user or other stakeholder
3.81
validated
status of an entity (3.34) when its required integrity conditions have been checked
Note 1 to entry: For example, in a DLT system (3.30), a transaction (3.77), ledger record (3.44), or block (3.2) can
be validated.

3.82
validation
function by which a transaction (3.77), ledger record (3.44), or block (3.2) is validated (3.81)
3.83
validator
entity (3.34) in a DLT system (3.30) that participates in validation (3.82)
Note 1 to entry: In some DLT systems (3.30) the DLT node (3.27) that has the role of validator can digitally sign a
ledger record (3.44) or block (3.2).

3.84
wallet
application used to generate, manage, store or use private (3.62) and public keys (3.65)
Note 1 to entry: A wallet can be implemented as a software or hardware module.

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Bibliography

[1] ISO/IEC 2382:2015, Information technology — Vocabulary

[2] ISO 7498-2:1989, Information processing systems — Open Systems Interconnection — Basic
Reference Model — Part 2: Security Architecture
[3] ISO/IEC 9798-1:2010, Information technology — Security techniques —Entity authentication —
Part 1: General
[4] ISO 14641:2018, Electronic document management — Design and operation of an information
system for the preservation of electronic documents — Specifications
[5] ISO 15489-1:2016, Information and documentation — Records management — Part 1: Concepts
and principles
[6] ISO/IEC 17788:2014, Information technology — Cloud computing — Overview and vocabulary
[7] ISO/IEC 18014-1:2008, Information technology — Security techniques — Time-stamping
services — Part 1: Framework
[8] ISO/TS 19299:2015, Electronic fee collection — Security framework
[9] ISO/IEC 27037:2012, Information technology — Security techniques — Guidelines for identification,
collection, acquisition and preservation of digital evidence
[10] IEC 60050-192:2015, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) — Part 192: Dependability

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ICS 35.240.99; 35.030; 01.040.35; 35.240.40

Price group A

© ISO 2020 – All rights reserved