Decentralizing IoT Data Processing: The Rise of Blockchain-Based Solutions

The rise of the Internet of Things has introduced new challenges related to data security and transparency, especially in industries like agri-food where traceability is critical. Traditional cloud-based solutions, while scalable, pose security and privacy risks. This paper proposes a decentralized architecture using Blockchain technology to address these challenges. We deploy IoT sensors connected to a Raspberry Pi for edge processing and utilize Hyperledger Fabric, a private Blockchain, to manage and store data securely. Two approaches are evaluated: computation of a Discomfort Index on the Raspberry Pi (edge processing) versus performing the same computation on-chain using smart contracts. Performance metrics, including latency, throughput, and error rate, are measured using Hyperledger Caliper. The results show that edge processing offers superior performance in terms of latency and throughput, while Blockchain-based computation ensures greater transparency and trust. This study highlights the potential of Blockchain as a viable alternative to centralized cloud systems in IoT environments and suggests future research in scalability, hybrid architectures, and energy efficiency.