Overview
ISO/TS 23635:2022 - "Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies - Guidelines for governance" provides high-level guiding principles and a practical governance framework for Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) systems. It addresses how to direct and control DLT systems by defining decision rights, accountability, incentives and governance instruments in on‑ledger and off‑ledger contexts. The technical specification also covers governance across lifecycle stages (Establish, Operate, Terminate) and within risk and regulatory contexts to support effective, efficient and acceptable use of blockchain and DLT systems.
Key topics and requirements
ISO/TS 23635:2022 organizes governance guidance around these core topics:
- Nine governance principles (summarized in the document) including: identifiers for entities, decentralized decision‑making, explicit accountability, transparency and openness, incentive alignment, performance and scalability, risk‑based decisions and compliance, security and privacy, and interoperability.
- Governance framework elements: decision rights, accountabilities, incentives, roles, and governance instruments that can be implemented on‑ledger (smart contracts, protocol rules) or off‑ledger (legal agreements, dispute mechanisms).
- DLT types and contexts: guidance tailored for permissioned vs permissionless systems, and for protocol, data, application and institutional contexts.
- Lifecycle governance: practical considerations for Establish, Operate and Terminate stages to ensure continuity, risk management and orderly transitions.
- Interoperability: governance approaches for connecting multiple DLT systems while managing shared risks and responsibilities.
- Security, privacy and regulatory alignment: emphasis on risk‑based decisions, compliance obligations and identity/accountability mechanisms for pseudonymous or institutional participants.
(The standard also references ISO 22739 for DLT vocabulary.)
Practical applications - who uses this standard
ISO/TS 23635 is intended for a broad audience involved in DLT adoption and oversight:
- Developers and architects designing governance‑aware protocols and smart contracts
- Project leads and consortiums establishing governance models for permissioned DLT networks
- Regulators, auditors and compliance teams assessing governance, risk and accountability mechanisms
- Enterprise adopters and CIOs evaluating operational, legal and interoperability requirements
- Standards bodies and academics researching governance models for decentralized systems
Adopting ISO/TS 23635 helps organizations align incentives, clarify decision‑making, and reduce legal and operational risk when deploying blockchain and distributed ledger solutions.
Related standards
- ISO 22739 - Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies - Vocabulary (referenced for terms)
- Developed by ISO/TC 307 (Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies)
Keywords: ISO/TS 23635:2022, DLT governance, blockchain governance, distributed ledger technologies, governance framework, on‑ledger, off‑ledger, decision rights, accountability, interoperability.