# Semiconductor Component Traceability

> 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.

**Sector:** Secondary sector · **Industry:** Electronics and electrical industry · **Organisation:** IBM und Samsung · **Maturity level:** Concept

Canonical URL: https://www.sapientblock.com/en/use-cases/ibm-chips-wafer-bis-geraet-verfolgen

## 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).

## Sources

- [IBM und Samsung forschen gemeinsam an neuen Halbleitertechnologien](https://storageconsortium.de/ibm-und-samsung-forschen-gemeinsam-an-neuen-halbleitertechnologien)