Securing global supply chains: a multi-sector analysis of blockchain-enabled anti-counterfeiting and traceability frameworks

Abstract

Counterfeit product trading has become a multi-trillion-dollar threat to global economic stability and public health, representing approximately 3.3% of world trade. This electronic document analyzes why traditional centralized anti-counterfeiting systems—relying on barcodes, holograms, and centralized databases—are failing due to single-point vulnerabilities and susceptibility to malicious data modification. This research examines the transition toward decentralized architectures, specifically the NFC-enabled Anti-Counterfeiting System (NAS) and its evolution into decentralized versions like dNAS and the VeriChain model. By integrating blockchain 2.0 technologies, smart contracts, and Digital ID systems, industries can achieve end-to-end traceability and immutable record provenance. The study concludes that decentralized authentication is the most robust solution for "how to stop counterfeit goods" in the 2026 digital economy.

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