Derule: A Blockchain-Based Decentralized Rule Engine for Managing User-Generated Content in Web3.0 Ecosystems

The maturation of blockchain infrastructure has catalyzed the rapid expansion of Web3.0, especially in the realm of user-generated content (UGC), where creators produce, share, and monetize digital assets such as NFTs, 3D models, and interactive experiences. However, existing smart contract-based platforms suffer from rigidity, inefficiency, and high costs when managing dynamic and complex UGC-related business rules—such as content validation, rights management, royalty distribution, and cross-metaverse interoperability. To tackle these challenges, we propose Derule, the first decentralized rule engine built on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which leverages precompiled contracts to implement a high-performance Rete-algorithm-based rule execution system. Derule introduces a modular architecture that decouples rule management from execution, enabling real-time updates to UGC governance logic without redeploying contracts. We evaluate Derule through a decentralized airdrop use-case—common in UGC incentive models—and demonstrate millisecond-level transaction speeds, robust permission mechanisms, and scalable performance. Our results show that Derule significantly enhances the flexibility, efficiency, and transparency of UGC-oriented applications in Web3.0, paving the way for more adaptive and user-centric content ecosystems.