Cryptographic techniques in blockchain for enhanced digital asset security

Аннотация

This article examines the role cryptographic PUBLISHED 12 May 2025 VOLUME Vol.07 Issue 05 2025 methods play in protecting digital assets through blockchain systems, with a particular focus on their CITATION adjustment to contemporary challenges and Srinivasan technological trends. An endeavor is undertaken to COPYRIGHT systematize major cryptographic algorithms, their © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms effective appraisal in data protection, and development of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. prospects under quantum computing threats. The study is relevant because centralized systems increasingly depend on cryptography due to greater regulatory pressures and, above all, a need for security through secrecy. The scientific novelty lies in the detailed comparative analysis of the said methodology (hashing, digital signatures, zero-knowledge proofs) for cases relating to major blockchain platforms (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Zcash), which hence demonstrate varied approaches towards security provision. The study's methodological foundation consists of analyzing 13 sources, merging a qualitative examination of algorithms and ECDSA with zk-SNARKs with a quantitative assessment of their effectiveness. Hash functions and Merkle trees ensure data integrity while reducing the computational costs of verification; asymmetric cryptography and Zero-Knowledge Proofs guarantee authenticity and confidentiality for the function of the transaction. Main findings support that cryptography is the cornerstone technology for blockchain security, but it has to be tailored to meet new challenges. Development in post-quantum algorithms and the infusion of homomorphic encryption will soon become imperative for quantum threats. This paper strongly advocates hybrid solutions The American Journal of Engineering and Technology 76 https://www.theamericanjournals.com/index.php/tajet that would bring traditional ways merged with cryptography does not merely play a supporting role for novelties, which will provide sustainability over time for existing functionality within the blockchain, but will digital assets. Thus, this article will be useful for dictate its very ability to evolve towards meeting the Developers of Blockchain Systems, Cryptographers, challenges of tomorrow. Cybersecurity Experts, & Regulators willing to know Materials and Methodology how protection methods for digital assets evolve. The study of cryptographic methods improving the Keywords: blockchain, cryptographic methods, digital assets, data security, hash functions, digital signatures. security of digital assets through blockchain, carried out based on 13 sources, comprising academic papers, technical reports, conference proceedings, and web Introduction: Blockchain is essentially a decentralized resources. ledger technology through which digital assets such as The source selection criteria were relevance, scientific cryptocurrencies, tokens, and smart contracts can be importance, and practical application. The databases securely managed [1]. While in the case of traditional used for the search are IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and Google centralized systems, data management falls into the Scholar, which give access to peer-reviewed published hands of one control center, distribution among several works. nodes will make the system more resilient against both destructive attacks and simple failures in a blockchain- The search used these keywords: Cryptography in based structure. The new setting eliminates Blockchain, Digital Asset Security, Hash Function, Zero intermediaries and promotes transparency, but may Knowledge Proofs, Post-Quantum Cryptography, Proof also raise special demands for data protection that of Authority Consensus These were the terms used to cannot generally be satisfied without specialized try and find articles that cover the main parts of means. Cryptography will help provide security as well cryptographic security in blockchain systems. as confidentiality and integrity to the data on a blockchain. It helps address several key issues: integrity Inclusion criteria for sources were: publications directly can be kept with hash functions like SHA-256 for Bitcoin related to cryptographic methods for safeguarding or Keccak-256 for Ethereum that make any digital assets in blockchain systems; articles published unauthorized modification easily detectable by the within the last 5 years; and materials that have network; confidentiality is accomplished through undergone peer review. Works unrelated to the topic methods like zero-knowledge proofs (e.g. Zk-SNARKs in and non-peer-reviewed sources were excluded. Zcash, which hide details of transactions; Public cryptography and digital signatures act as The formation of a theoretical basis upon reviews of authentication and authorization engines that ensure modern cryptographic technologies such as the work of transaction legitimacy without revealing private keys. M. Tarawneh [1], which