Energy Catalyst 3103-9952 Caravel Press 10.61552/EC.2025.006 2025.006 Geopolitical Conflicts: Blockchain Use in International Energy Trading https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8485-1530 MorozovaSofya sofyatoo1@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9349-7049 KarabugaArif https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1981-9107 UtluZafer Istanbul Atlas University, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Systems Application and Research Center, Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul Atlas University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey 08082025 1 79 88 5 February 2025 10 June 2025 8 August 2025 © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Caravel Press. 2025 This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 licence.

This research explores how blockchain technology impacts energy markets, particularly during times of conflict and regulatory change. Geopolitical tensions often disrupt energy markets by affecting supply chains, prices, and access to resources. Energy trading becomes a strategic tool for securing reliable energy sources and managing risks. Technological advancements, evolving policies, and sustainability goals are reshaping the global energy landscape. Blockchain's decentralized and tamper-proof infrastructure offers solutions by maintaining immutable records of transactions, reducing fraud, and enhancing accountability. Case studies highlight how blockchain applications, including smart contracts and tokenization, improve efficiency and transparency in energy trade. However, regulatory challenges persist, particularly with privacy laws like GDPR. Adapting international agreements, such as the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), to accommodate decentralized markets is crucial. Striking a balance between transparency, data protection, and regulatory compliance is necessary to enable blockchain’s full potential in global energy trading

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