DECENTRALIZED LEGAL LEDGER: ETHEREUM-POWERED TAMPER-PROOF CREDENTIAL MANAGEMENT

Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative approach for secure legal document management, offering key advantages such as transparency, immutability, and enhanced security. This study presents a detailed examination of blockchain’s application in managing legal documents, aiming to modernize and streamline traditional document workflows. The paper begins with an in-depth discussion of blockchain fundamentals, highlighting its decentralized structure, cryptographic safeguards, and consensus protocols. The proposed system follows a well-defined methodology: applicants first submit their credentials, which are authenticated by educational institutions. These verified credentials are then stored in the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) for decentralized file handling, while only their cryptographic hashes are recorded on the blockchain. This approach reduces storage costs and improves scalability. To evaluate performance, the system was tested using multiple consensus algorithms, including Proof of Work, Proof of Stake, and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance. Results indicated that Proof of Stake delivers the best balance between speed and security. A functional prototype demonstrated notable improvements enhancing verification accuracy, reducing processing time, and minimizing manual intervention making the process far more efficient than conventional methods. The system achieved a transaction throughput of 1000 transactions per second and an average confirmation time of 5 seconds, significantly boosting efficiency for institutions and employers verifying credentials. Additionally, a comparative analysis with traditional methods showed superior performance in terms of security, speed, and costeffectiveness, supported by tamper-proof validation and reduced fraud risk. This research not only strengthens the trustworthiness of document verification but also paves the way for future innovations such as cross-chain interoperability, AI-powered fraud detection, and mobile-based verification, enhancing both accessibility and operational excellence in academic credential validation