Design and Development of a Blockchain‐Enabled Decentralized Framework for Academic Microcredentials

Traditional higher education faces significant challenges, including rising costs, inflexibility, and a disconnect from workforce demands, while current credentialing systems are often centralized and vulnerable to fraud. Microcredentials have emerged as a solution, yet they lack integration into formal degree pathways and face issues with recognition and security. This paper introduces a blockchain based framework designed to securely issue, manage, and verify credit‐bearing microcredentials, bridging the gap between non‐traditional learning and formal academic programs. The proposed system utilizes a hybrid on‐chain/off‐chain architecture, leveraging Hyperledger Besu, smart contracts, and the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for decentralized storage. The system’s smart contracts automate the entire credential lifecycle, including issuance, revocation, verification, and retrieval. Moreover, this research presents a comprehensive performance evaluation using custom scripts and Hyperledger Caliper which confirmed the system’s operational feasibility. The system achieved a stable and predictable throughput of 1.6–2.0 transactions per second (TPS) under heavy loads, with an average latency between 0.93 and 4.34 s and a mean of 1.88 s. These findings affirm that the architecture provides a robust and responsive solution for academic credentialing. Overall, this study presents a practical and scalable framework that enhances the trust, portability, and integration of microcredentials within higher education. By enabling secure, learner‐owned, and verifiable records, the system offers a trusted pathway for recognizing prior learning and streamlining academic progression.