Blockchain-Based Anti-Counterfeit Product Identification System: A Comprehensive Survey

Abstract: Counterfeit products pose a significant and growing threat to global supply chains, resulting in substantial financial losses, diminished brand equity, and risks to consumer health and safety. Conventional authentication mechanisms depend on centralized databases that remain susceptible to unauthorized alteration and offer limited transparency to downstream stakeholders. Blockchain technology has emerged as a compelling countermeasure, owing to its decentralized architecture, cryptographic security, and append-only immutability. This paper presents a complete survey of blockchain-based anti-counterfeit systems, with particular emphasis on QR code integration, smart contract deployment, and end-to-end product traceability. Let me tell you, a structured fourtier taxonomy is proposed to classify existing systems according to their functional sophistication, from basic barcode verification to fully integrated supply chain solutions. The truth is, critical performance dimensions, including security assurance, scalability, implementation cost, and end-user usability, are examined in depth. A comparative analysis of fifteen representative studies highlights their respective strengths and limitations. The survey further identifies persistent research gaps, including the absence of holistic system integration, susceptibility of QR codes to physical cloning, and constraints on large-scale throughput. Prospective research directions are outlined to guide the development of more strong, scalable, and user-accessible anti- counterfeit solutions.

Keywords: Blockchain; Counterfeit Detection; QR Code; Supply Chain; Smart Contracts; Traceability; Product Authentication; Decentralized Systems.