Research Article

From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain

Volume: 4 Number: 2 November 30, 2025
TR EN

From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain

Abstract

Blockchain interoperability has often been discussed in the context of cross-chain protocols, cloud services, or IoT integration, but much less attention has been paid to its interaction with centralized systems. Most studies treat relational databases and blockchains as competing technologies rather than complementary ones, leaving an important gap in practice. In this paper, we introduce DECEN, a conceptual model that connects MySQL and Hyperledger Fabric, supporting transparent and systematic cross-platform data interoperability. DECEN links records across systems by generating a unique identifier with an MD5 hash. This simple connection enables information to be mapped, synchronised, verified and cross-checked between the two platforms. Therefore, blockchain is not treated as a replacement but works alongside relational databases as a complementary partner. Rather than migrating or duplicating entire datasets, we treat the blockchain as a supporting layer that can serve as an extra source of verification. Such that, it can improve reliability and trust without replacing the database. To show how this works in practice, we look at applications in higher education and use university transcripts as a case study. A prototype was developed and tested to show that the approach is technically viable, and its source code has been openly shared to encourage repeatability, validation, and further research.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study received no financial or institutional support.

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with research and publication ethics, and it does not involve any ethical misconduct.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Information Security Management, Information Systems Development Methodologies and Practice

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

November 30, 2025

Publication Date

November 30, 2025

Submission Date

September 22, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 4 Number: 2

APA
Selvi, O., Karaçor, A. G., & Karadayı, Y. (2025). From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain. Türk Mühendislik Araştırma Ve Eğitimi Dergisi, 4(2), 126-139. https://izlik.org/JA67XW74CB
AMA
1.Selvi O, Karaçor AG, Karadayı Y. From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain. TMAED. 2025;4(2):126-139. https://izlik.org/JA67XW74CB
Chicago
Selvi, Osman, Adil Gürsel Karaçor, and Yıldız Karadayı. 2025. “From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain”. Türk Mühendislik Araştırma Ve Eğitimi Dergisi 4 (2): 126-39. https://izlik.org/JA67XW74CB.
EndNote
Selvi O, Karaçor AG, Karadayı Y (November 1, 2025) From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain. Türk Mühendislik Araştırma ve Eğitimi Dergisi 4 2 126–139.
IEEE
[1]O. Selvi, A. G. Karaçor, and Y. Karadayı, “From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain”, TMAED, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 126–139, Nov. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA67XW74CB
ISNAD
Selvi, Osman - Karaçor, Adil Gürsel - Karadayı, Yıldız. “From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain”. Türk Mühendislik Araştırma ve Eğitimi Dergisi 4/2 (November 1, 2025): 126-139. https://izlik.org/JA67XW74CB.
JAMA
1.Selvi O, Karaçor AG, Karadayı Y. From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain. TMAED. 2025;4:126–139.
MLA
Selvi, Osman, et al. “From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain”. Türk Mühendislik Araştırma Ve Eğitimi Dergisi, vol. 4, no. 2, Nov. 2025, pp. 126-39, https://izlik.org/JA67XW74CB.
Vancouver
1.Osman Selvi, Adil Gürsel Karaçor, Yıldız Karadayı. From Rivals to Partners: Enabling Interoperability Between Relational Databases and Blockchain. TMAED [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 1;4(2):126-39. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA67XW74CB