Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI)

Common language is essential for collaboration across stakeholders, which is necessary for scale.

As the blockchain and digital assets space develops at lightning speed, definitions are evolving with new applications being launched. Common understanding has become both increasingly critical and progressively complex. The need for clear and consistent communication is more important than ever, underscored by universally accepted definitions. Shared language creates the foundation for collaborative understanding and progress, bringing together stakeholders with shared interests to advance common goals and standards. Blockchain, often in combination with other emerging technologies, is already breaking silos and progressing substantive solutions to move our world in a positive direction and meet the most pressing challenges of our time.

The GSMI 6.0 Taxonomy includes 403 total terms specific to blockchain and digital assets and sector-specific terms relevant for key applications in AI convergence, supply chain, sustainability, and digital identity. At the core, 217 essential blockchain and digital assets terms are further categorized into main subject areas, drawing on academic approaches to categorization. Each term has been cross-checked against definitions from multiple globally respected standards setting bodies and industry-specific glossaries.

Notably, this taxonomy includes multiple definitions for blockchain and digital assets terms, developed by a range of globally recognized standards setting bodies, industry bodies, and regulatory entities, in order to reflect the fact that the space is still developing and that the definitions are continuously evolving. GSMI 6.0 introduces a “top definition” selection for each key term, based on the desired usability (e.g., legal, regulatory compliance, financial (traditional and DeFi), technical standards, technology, industry). Ultimately, this landscape of terms and definitions is meant to capture the full meaning of each concept as it is utilized in the industry today. Certain definitions are also inherently related based on common concepts, for which we have also provided visuals to illustrate major clusters of definitions.