# May 2025
Construction Blockchain Newsletter
Welcome to our May CBC Newsletter! This month, we're tracking Europe's new data privacy guidelines challenging blockchain's immutability, HSBC's pioneering blockchain settlement in Hong Kong, and Panama City's progressive move to accept crypto for municipal payments. We'll also examine the ethical concerns surrounding Donald Trump's growing crypto ventures. Stay informed on the go by listening to our GenAI podcast to explore how these diverse narratives are shaping blockchain's future.
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World & Blockchain
Worldwide
Several major banks are now working with the Solana blockchain to tokenize real-world assets (RWAs) like bonds, stocks, and funds. This collaboration is a big step toward changing how traditional finance uses blockchain. Instead of testing in small sandboxes, banks are starting to move actual assets to decentralized systems that promise faster settlement, lower costs, and global access.
Europe
EU Privacy Laws To Delete See-Through Blockchains
On April 14, 2025, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) opened a consultation on Guidelines 02/2025 that address the processing of personal data through blockchain technologies. Open for stakeholder comments until June 9, 2025, the Guidelines have sparked controversy in the blockchain community by highlighting a long-standing tension: how to reconcile the EU’s data protection requirements with blockchain’s core principle of immutability?
Asia
HSBC launches Hong Kong’s first blockchain-based settlement service with Ant International
HSBC Holdings on Thursday said it launched Hong Kong’s first blockchain-based settlement service, marking a step forward for fintech development in the city that will allow for secure and quick payments.
North America
‘Roadmap for corruption’: Trump dive into cryptocurrency raises ethics alarm
Donald Trump’s push to sharply ease oversight of the cryptocurrency industry, while he and his sons have fast expanded crypto ventures that have reaped billions of dollars from investors including foreign ones, is raising alarm about ethical and legal issues.
South America
Panama City Approves Bitcoin and Crypto Payments for Taxes, Fees, and Permits
In yet another milestone for Bitcoin adoption in Latin America, the Panama City Council has voted to approve the acceptance of Bitcoin and other digital currencies for municipal services, making it the first public institution in the country to do so.
Research & Development Digest
This monthly Research Digest features some notable papers produced or suggested by our academic and industry Members and Partners that we hope will be of interest.
Blockchain & Additive Manufacturing
Construction Payment Automation Through Scan-to-BIM and Blockchain-Enabled Smart Contract
Elsharkawi H., Elbeltagi E., Eid M.S., Alattyih W., Wefki H., 2025
Timely approvals and payments to the project participants are crucial for successful completion of construction projects. However, the construction industry faces persistent delays and non-payments to contractors. Despite the desirable benefits of automated payments and enhanced access to digitized data progress, most payment applications rely on centralized control mechanisms; inefficient procedures; and documentation that takes time to prepare, review, and approve. As such, there is a need for a reliable payment automation system that guarantees timely execution of payments upon the detection of completed works. Therefore, this study used a cutting-edge approach to automate construction payments by integrating blockchain-enabled smart contracts and scan-to-Building Information Modeling (BIM). In this approach, scan-to-BIM provides accurate, real-time building progress data, which serve as the source of verifiable off-chain data. A chain-link is then used to securely relay these data to the blockchain system. Blockchain-enabled smart contracts automate the execution of payments upon meeting contract conditions. The proposed approach was implemented on a real case study project. The actual site scan was captured using a photogrammetry 360° camera, which uses a combination of structured light and infrared depth sensing technology to capture 3D data and create detailed 3D models of spaces. This study leveraged accurate, real-time building progress data to automate payments using blockchain-enabled smart contracts upon work completion, thus reducing payment disputes by tying payments to verifiable construction progress, leading to faster release of payments. The findings show that this approach provides a transparent basis for payment, enhancing trust and allowing precise project progress tracking.
https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020213
Internet of Things in construction: trends and adoption insights from a scientometric perspective
Sadeghi, J., Ahmadi, A., & Phipps, R., 2025
The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the construction industry has garnered significant academic interest, with a notable increase in research over the past decade. This study conducts a scientometric review of 428 papers published between 2010 and 2024, aiming to identify key trends, highlight emerging themes, and offer directions for future research to avoid redundancy. Through bibliographic coupling and scientific network analysis, the review uncovers prominent co-occurring keywords and themes, such as the integration of IoT with artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud and edge computing, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Digital Twins. A major finding is that improving safety, particularly in worker health and underground construction, is the most frequently addressed objective. Other focal areas include post-occupancy analysis, site management, infrastructure development, life cycle management, and prefabrication. However, the research highlights significant gaps. While IoT and BIM integration are well-explored, their application to worker safety and underground construction remains limited. The combination of Digital Twins and IoT is also underutilized in design evaluation, prefabrication, and life cycle management. This review underscores the complementary roles of various technologies and calls for interdisciplinary collaboration to fully realize the potential of IoT in advancing safety and efficiency in the construction industry.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2025.2508905
Analyzing Research Trends in Smart Construction Safety: A Topic Modeling Approach
Seo, H. J., & Yoon, Y.-G., 2025
The construction industry is increasingly embracing smart technologies to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Despite their potential, the practical integration of technologies such as digital twins, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data into construction safety management systems remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates how these technologies can be effectively implemented to improve safety outcomes. A systematic review of the literature is conducted, culminating in the development of a conceptual framework for integrating smart technologies into safety systems. The study highlights the application of digital twins, the IoT, and big data for real-time monitoring, predictive risk management, and resource optimization. The findings reveal that these technologies significantly enhance construction site safety by proactively identifying hazards, reducing accidents, and improving resource allocation. Moreover, smart technologies contribute to environmental sustainability by optimizing energy use and lowering carbon emissions. This research underscores the dual benefits of technological integration, advancing both safety and sustainability objectives. While the study provides theoretical insights and practical implications, further empirical research across diverse construction environments is necessary to validate and refine the proposed framework.
Events Agenda
TUM Blockchain Conference 25
11-12 September 2025, Munich, Germany
The 3rd iteration of the TUM Blockchain Conference unites visionaries and thought leaders in a non-profit setting to transform Web3’s potential from promise to action through collaboration and open dialogue.
Consensus 2026
10-12 Feb 2026, Hong-Kong.
Since 2015, Consensus has been more than an event–it's the annual gathering of the tribes. It's where the most influential voices in blockchain, web3, and decentralized AI come together to drive innovation forward.
2025 European Conference on Computing in Construction
14-17 July 2025. Porto, Portugal.
EC³ is the premier European Conference for information, communication and technological research, innovation and policy for the Construction Sector as a whole in Europe.
Knowledge Upgrade
Full Stack Blockchain Development Tutorial with AI
Build blockchain-powered applications and learn how to connect wallets and smart contract features to your apps. This course will take you from beginner to intermediate. Whether you’re just starting out or want to strengthen your full-stack blockchain development skills, this course has something for you.
New Build Environment Blockchain Book
Edited by CBC collaborators Kassem, M., Maciel, A., Hall, D.M. (Eds.), the IET ‘Blockchain, Smart Contracts and Distributed Ledger Technologies in the Built Environment: Key concepts, technologies, and applications’, presents the forefront of blockchain research and application in the built environment.
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