ISO 22739-2024 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 22739-2024 — Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies — Vocabulary. A standards product page describing the 2024 edition of ISO 22739, the international vocabulary that defines key terms, concepts and basic notions used across blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) work.

Abstract

This standard provides a consolidated, industry-neutral set of terms and definitions for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT). It is intended to harmonize language used by standards bodies, implementers, regulators and researchers so that concepts such as ledger, block, transaction, node, consensus, smart contract, identity and related cryptographic constructs are defined consistently across documents and implementations.

General information

• Status: Published / Active standard.
• Publication date: 2024 (edition year shown in title).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), via ISO/Technical Committee on Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies (ISO/TC 307).
• ICS / categories: Information technology / Distributed ledger technologies and related terminology (commonly grouped under ICS information technology categories).
• Edition / version: 2024 edition (as indicated in title).
• Number of pages: Typical vocabulary publications range from a small technical booklet to ~20–40 pages; actual pagination depends on the published PDF/print version.

Scope

Specifies a set of standardized terms and their definitions for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies to be used consistently in standards, technical reports, specifications and communication between stakeholders. The scope covers infrastructural concepts (ledger, block, node), transaction and data model concepts (transaction, state, provenance), consensus and validation mechanisms, identity and key management terms, smart contract terminology, token-related concepts, and governance and interoperability terms relevant to DLT ecosystems.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized vocabulary for core DLT concepts: ledger, block, transaction, state, node, peer, validator.
• Definitions for consensus-related terms: consensus algorithm, finality, fork, leader, mining/validation (where applicable).
• Identity and cryptography terms: public/private key, digital signature, certificate, key management, wallet.
• Smart contract and programmable ledger concepts: smart contract, chaincode, execution environment, gas/fees (conceptual definitions).
• Interoperability and data exchange terminology: interface, API, interoperability, cross-chain, bridging (conceptual descriptions).
• Governance, permissioning and privacy terms: permissioned vs permissionless, access control, privacy-preserving techniques, off-chain vs on-chain.
• Guidance on consistent use of terms across documents and cross-references to related standards and normative sources.

Typical use and users

Used by standards developers, technical writers, architects, implementers, policymakers, legal teams, procurement officers and educators who need consistent terminology when drafting specifications, regulatory guidance, contracts, product documentation, academic publications and training materials about blockchain and DLT.

Related standards

Part of the broader ISO/TC 307 work on blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. Typically used alongside other TC 307 publications that address security, privacy, interoperability, smart contracts, governance and data exchange. It is also complementary to regional or industry-specific technical reports and best-practice documents addressing implementation, testing and certification.

Keywords

blockchain, distributed ledger, DLT, vocabulary, terminology, ledger, block, transaction, node, consensus, smart contract, identity, cryptography, interoperability, permissioned, permissionless, governance

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 22739-2024 is the vocabulary standard that defines terms and concepts used in blockchain and distributed ledger technologies to ensure consistent language across standards, implementations and documentation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers core DLT concepts (ledger, block, transaction, node), consensus and validation terminology, cryptographic and identity-related terms, smart contract vocabulary, as well as interoperability, governance and privacy-related definitions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Standards writers, technical architects, software developers, legal and procurement teams, regulators and educators working with blockchain/DLT technologies use it to ensure clear, consistent definitions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The product page refers to the 2024 edition indicated in the title. Users should check the publisher’s catalogue or national standards body for the most recent status and any amendments or corrigenda.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO/TC 307 family of documents on blockchain and distributed ledger technologies and is intended to be used together with technical standards and reports addressing security, interoperability, smart contracts and governance.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: blockchain, distributed ledger, DLT, vocabulary, ledger, block, transaction, node, consensus, smart contract, identity, cryptography, interoperability.