Abstract

Secure and trusted data sharing is fundamental to distributed computing systems, where multiple stakeholders interact, collaborate, and exchange information across decentralized environments. Traditional data sharing solutions often rely on centralized authorities or intermediary platforms, leading to single points of failure, limited transparency, and vulnerability to tampering. Blockchain, as a decentralized ledger technology, offers immutable, transparent, and cryptographically secured records that can significantly enhance trust, integrity, and accountability in distributed data sharing. This research explores blockchain‑enabled mechanisms for secure data sharing in distributed computing systems, examining key design principles, consensus protocols, smart contract frameworks, access control methods, and privacy‑preserving techniques. We analyze how blockchain integration supports data provenance, auditability, and resistance to unauthorized modifications while addressing performance, scalability, and interoperability challenges. Through comprehensive literature synthesis, architectural modeling, and system evaluation, this work identifies best practices and critical trade‑offs for implementing blockchain‑based data sharing solutions. Findings indicate that hybrid architectures combining on‑chain verification with off‑chain storage offer practical balances between security and efficiency. However, challenges such as transaction throughput, regulatory compliance, and data confidentiality persist. The study contributes insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to harness blockchain’s capabilities to build resilient, trustworthy distributed computing systems in domains such as healthcare, supply chain, finance, and IoT.