The 8^th Symposium on Distributed Ledger Technology

Welcome to the 8^th Symposium on Distributed Ledger Technology (SDLT)

Distributed Ledger Technology is an emerging technology, which provides the way to store and manage information in a distributed fashion. It enables the creation of decentralized crypto-currencies, smart contracts, eGovernance, supply chain management, eVoting etc over a network of computer systems without any human intervention. Unprecedented reliability and security over other cryptographic schemes has expanded the application domains of blockchain including financial services, real estate, stock exchange, identity management, supply chain, and Internet of Things.

The goal of this symposium is to provide a forum for researchers, business leaders and policy makers in this area to carefully analyse current systems or propose new solutions creating a scientific background for a solid development of innovative Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) applications.

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Keynote Speakers

Dr Jiangshan Yu, Associate Professor, The University of Sydney, Australia

Architectural Hybridisation for Blockchain

Abstract: Over the past decade, blockchain technologies and their ecosystems have rapidly expanded, reaching trillions in value and significantly reshaping the digital economy. This advancement necessitates enhanced resilience and performance to meet the evolving demands of decentralised applications. This talk explores the potential of architectural hybridisation as a means to bolster blockchain resilience and performance. I will give two examples of our work, namely Damysus and OneShot, to illustrate the successful application of architectural hybridisation in blockchain. These systems demonstrate significant improvements in blockchain performance and fault tolerance, showcasing the practical benefits of our approach. In addition, I will highlight ongoing challenges and open questions in the field, with a particular focus on fault independence in blockchains. Despite significant advancements in scaling blockchains, fault independence continues to be a fundamental bottleneck, constraining the practicality and meaningful resilience of these endeavours. This urges us to refine our approach in making blockchains scalable and more resilient.

Bio: Dr. Jiangshan Yu is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. He is an elected member of the prestigious IFIP 10.4 Working Group on Dependable Computing and Fault Tolerance and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Austrian Blockchain Center (Austria). Previously, he held positions as Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at Monash University and served as Research Director at Monash Blockchain Technology Centre. Dr. Yu's research interests span trust, reliability, and security, with a particular emphasis on blockchain and trustworthy systems. His work has been widely published in prestigious journals and top-tier conferences such as S&P, EuroSys, ICDE, DSN, ICDCS, FC, TDSC, and TPDS. Notably, his research has identified critical vulnerabilities in deployed blockchains, leading to recommended fixes adopted by projects totaling over $30 billion in market capitalization. This impact has garnered widespread media coverage across hundreds of news reports. He has received several competitive awards, including Monash Research Talent Accelerator Award (2023), ARC DECRA (2021), IBM Academic Award (2020). He actively contributes to the academic community as Associate Editor for ACM Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT), and as a Program Committee member for esteemed conferences such as CCS, VLDB, USENIX ATC, DSN, ICDCS, FC, AFT, ICBC, and Blockchain.

Maureen Gabriel, Principal in House Legal Counsel & Crypto Forensic Investigator, Blockstars Technology Pty Ltd

Crypto Forensics in the New Age: Unmasking Scams and Pig Butchering Schemes

Abstract: As cryptocurrency adoption accelerates, so do the complex and evolving tactics of scammers. One particularly insidious method, known as "pig butchering," has gained traction in the world of crypto fraud. In this talk, we delve into the cutting-edge techniques used in crypto forensic investigations to combat scams in the digital age. We’ll explore how these fraudulent schemes operate, how victims are manipulated, and the role that blockchain analysis and advanced AI play in tracking down culprits. From tracing illicit funds across decentralized platforms to uncovering hidden networks, this session will provide a deep dive into the tools and strategies that are transforming the fight against cryptocurrency crime. Whether you're a law enforcement officer, a cybersecurity professional, or a crypto enthusiast, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the increasingly treacherous world of crypto fraud.

Bio: Maureen Gabriel is a leading forensic investigator on the Gold Coast, specializing in digital forensics and cryptocurrency investigations. As the Principal In-House Legal Counsel at Blockstars Technology, she heads the Forensic Investigation Unit, where she traces complex cryptocurrency transactions and investigates financial crimes. With qualifications including a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Laws, and an Advanced Diploma in Applied Blockchain Technology, she is a globally recognized expert. Maureen is also a Chartered Certified Compliance Professional in Cryptocurrency and Financial Crimes, and she has served as an expert witness in high-profile legal cases. Her expertise extends to regulatory and compliance assessments in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), ensuring organizations meet the highest legal and ethical standards. Her work not only protects businesses from regulatory risks but also strengthens financial system integrity. Maureen’s insights and thought leadership are regularly featured in interviews and profiles discussing the future of Web3 and digital investigations.

Dr Mohiuddin Ahmed, Senior Lecturer of Computing & Security, Edith Cowan University, Australia

Big Game Hunting and Evolution of Blockchain

Abstract: The advancement of technology is a double-edged sword. While we enjoy the benefits, people with malicious intent exploit these technological advances. Since most of the worldwide population is connected to the Internet, criminals are now interested in launching cybercrime more than ever and targeting critical infrastructures. Recent statistics show that cybercrime costs are projected to hit an annual $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Among various types of cyber-attacks, ransomware is one of the most notorious attacks in recent times and continuously evolving which is directly linked with blockchain ecosystem. This talk will cover the recent trends in ransomware, crypto currency, and evolution of blockchain.

Bio: Mohiuddin Ahmed attained his PhD in Computer Science from the University of New South Wales (UNSW Australia). He is currently working as a Senior Lecturer in Computing and Security discipline within School of Science at Edith Cowan University. He has been educating the next generation of cyber leaders and researching to disrupt the cybercrime ecosystem. His research is focused on ensuring national security and safeguarding critical infrastructures from cyber terrorists. Mohiuddin has edited several books and contributed articles to The Conversation with a global audience reach of more than a Billion people. His research publications in reputed venues attracted more than 4500 citations and have been listed in the world's top 2% of scientists for the 2020-2023 citation impact. Mohiuddin secured several external and internal grants worth more than $1.7 Million and has been collaborating with academia and industry. He has been regularly invited to speak at international conferences and public organizations and interviewed by the media for expert opinion. He is an associate editor of International Journal of Computers and Applications and Journal of Cyber Security Technology. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, ACS Certified Professional and a FHEA.

André Augusto, Blockchain Researcher, INESC-ID & Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal

Uniting Blockchains with Interoperability Mechanisms: Where We Are and Where We're Going

Abstract: As blockchain technology evolves, the pressing need for interoperability mechanisms becomes increasingly evident. Recent years have seen a surge in cross-chain bridge hacks, resulting in losses exceeding 3.2 billion USD, underscoring the critical importance of advancing research within the ecosystem. In this talk, we embark on a journey to explore the current landscape of blockchain interoperability mechanisms, assessing where we stand and envisioning the path forward. We delve into existing mechanisms, highlight their strengths and limitations, and address the open challenges that lie ahead. Additionally, we spotlight solutions like Hyperledger Cacti, a pioneering framework designed to facilitate interoperability across diverse blockchain platforms and traditional systems.

Bio: André Augusto is a blockchain researcher whose work focuses on the intersection of security and privacy in blockchain interoperability. With a passion for advancing decentralised technologies, André has made significant contributions to various projects spanning healthcare to supply chain management. He actively mentors students within the Hyperledger community and has participated in ETH Global events. His recent research centres on formalising security and privacy measures in blockchain interoperability mechanisms. André is an active contributor to the Secure Asset Transfer Protocol (SATP) working group within the IETF, where he advocates for establishing standards to facilitate seamless communication across blockchain networks. SATP is a collaborative effort involving multiple international entities such as Blockdaemon, Quant, IBM, and MIT Connection Science. Additionally, he is pursuing a PhD in Computer Science at the University of Lisbon.

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Past Symposiums

1^st SDLT (Jun 2017) 2^nd SDLT (Jun 2018) 3^rd SDLT (Nov 2018)

4^th SDLT (Dec 2019) 5^th SDLT (Nov 2021) 6^th SDLT (Nov 2022) 7^th SDLT (Nov 2023)

Paper/Talk Submissions

Researchers and industry practitioners are invited to submit proposals via this LINK.

Springer will publish the proceedings. Authors are advised to prepare their manuscripts in line with the Springer conference format guidelines available here. Please note: Due to the double-blind review process, authors should not include their names or affiliations in the paper.

For the Academic Track submit a Single Column paper within 15 pages excluding references and appendix.

For the Industry Track, submit a single-column full paper of up to 12 pages or a short paper of up to 6 pages.

For the Industry Talk, submit an abstract and a brief outline of the talk (this will not be published).

Organising Committee

General Chairs

Salil Kanhere, University of New South Wales, Australia
Joy Parkinson, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Bhavani Sridharan, Australian Catholic University, Australia

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Program Chairs

Raja Jurdak, Queensland Univeristy of Technology, Australia
Kamanashis Biswas, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Shantanu Pal, Deakin University, Australia

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Academic Chairs

Stefano Ferretti, University of Urbino, Italy
Kewen Liao, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Guangdong Bai, The University of Queensland, Australia

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Local Chairs

Walayat Hussain, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Naipeng Dong, The University of Queensland, Australia
Babu Pillai, Southern Cross University, Australia

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Industry Chairs

Zaidul Alam, CSIRO, Australia
Aaron Osterby, G'day Group, Australia
Niaz Chowdhury, EdTech, UK

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Web Chairs

Samantha Tharani Jeyakumar, Griffith University, Australia
Shawon Das, James Cook University, Australia

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Technical Programme Committee

Abigail Koay, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Babu Pillai, Southern Cross University, Australia
David Hyland-Wood, Griffith Queensland, Australia
David Pearce, ConsenSys, New Zealand
Dileepa Fernando, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Dorottya Zelenyanszki, Griffith University, Australia
Ed Young, Crystal Delta, Australia
Ermyas Abebe, ConsenSys, Australia
Guangdong Bai, The University of Queensland, Australia
Gowri Ramachandran, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Helen Paik, University of New South Wales, Australia
Jiangshan Yu, University of Sydney, Australia
Jubilant Job, Southern Cross University, Australia
Jubilant Kizhakkethottam, Saintgits College of Engineering, India
Joanne Fuller, ConsenSys, Australia
Kamanashis Biswas, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Katrina Donaghy, Civic Ledger, Australia
Kulani Mahadewa, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Marius Portmann, The University of Queensland, Australia
Mark Utting, The University of Queensland, Australia
Md Sadek Ferdous, Imperial College London, UK
Md Whaiduzzaman, Torrens Univeristy, Australia
Mohammad Jabed M. Chowdhury, La Trobe University, Australia
Muhammad Usman, Edge Hill University, UK
Naipeng Dong, The University of Queensland, Australia
Nathan Churchward, Cuscal Limited, Australia
Niaz Chowdhury, CSIRO, Australia
Peter McBurney, Kings College London, UK
Peter Robinson, Immutable, Australia
Qiang Tang, University of Sydney, Australia
Raghavendra Ramesh, SupraOracles, Australia
Raja Jurdak, Queensland Univeristy of Technology, Australia
Ranju Mandal, Torrens University, Australia
RK Shyamasundar, IIT-Bombay, India
Salil Kanhere, University of New South Wales, Australia
Samantha Tharani Jeyakumar, Griffith University, Australia
Sandra Johnson, ConsenSys, Australia
Shantanu Pal, Deakin University, Australia
Shiping Chen, Data61-CSIRO, Australia
Shoufeng Cao, The University of Queensland, Australia
Sujit Biswas, City Univeersity of London, UK
Sushmita Ruj, The University of New South Wales, Australia
Thanh-Hai Tran, ConsenSys, Australia
Vallipuram Muthukkumarasamy, Griffith Univeristy, Australia
Vincent Gramoli, University of Sydney, Australia
Vishwas Patil, IIT-Bombay, India
Warwick Powell, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Xin-Wen Wu, University of Mary Washington, USA
Yinxing Xue, University of Science and Technology of China, China
Zaidul Karim, CSIRO, Australia
Zhe Hou, Griffith University, Australia