Semiconductor Component Traceability
Sector: Secondary sector · Industry: Electronics and electrical industry · Organisation: IBM und Samsung · Maturity level: Concept
No verified information was found regarding a blockchain project between IBM and Samsung for semiconductor component traceability. The described solution for tamper-proof documentation of semiconductor components from raw materials to finished products could not be confirmed. The stated results such as a 25% reduction in product counterfeiting could also not be verified.
Documentation status
- Project status: Concept
- Evidence: Evidence medium
- Editorial review: Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026
Description
Semiconductor supply chains are complex and vulnerable: A modern chip goes through design (USA/UK), wafer fabrication (TSMC Taiwan), assembly (Malaysia/Vietnam), testing (worldwide), and integration into the end device (China/Mexico). Blockchain makes this chain fully traceable.
The counterfeiting problem: Up to 15% of all chips on the market are counterfeit — especially older military and industrial chips. Counterfeit chips fail under stress and can cause catastrophic system failures. Blockchain solution: Each chip receives a unique serial number during production (Hardware Security Module holds the private key); production parameters (wafer batch, test results, quality certificate) are anchored on the blockchain; each ownership transfer in the supply chain is documented on-chain; the complete chain can be verified in seconds by the end customer. US CHIPS Act (2022, 52 billion USD): Companies receiving funding must meet transparency requirements. US DoD (Department of Defense) requires verified origin proof for security-critical chips. Export control: Blockchain can prove that US technology was not delivered to sanctioned countries (e.g. China for HPC chips).
Perspectives
B2B — organisations perspective
Semiconductor manufacturers and dealers can demonstrate US CHIPS Act compliance with blockchain-secured chip provenance proofs, identify counterfeit chips, and meet DoD requirements for verified origin.