Mapping the Intellectual Landscape of Blockchain in the Banking Industry: A Hybrid Bibliometric and Systematic Review (2015–2025)

Sadeq Aladeeb; Fatima Zohra Sossi Alaoui

Authors

Sadeq Abdullah Aladeeb Laboratory of Economics, Finance, Management and Innovation, Faculty of Economics and Management, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco , Department of Accounting and Auditing, Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen Author
Fatima Zohra Sossi Alaoui Laboratory of Economics, Finance, Management and Innovation, Faculty of Economics and Management, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco Author

Keywords:

Blockchain Technology; Banking Sector; Bibliometric Analysis; Systematic Content Review; Financial Technology; Decentralized Finance

Abstract

The advent of blockchain technology has introduced new alternatives to traditional banking systems, providing a decentralized, secure, and transparent framework. However, its adoption is still complex and uneven for many reasons. This study provides a comprehensive mapping of the intellectual trajectory, thematic structure, and development of blockchain technology research in the banking sector. Using a hybrid literature review methodology that combines bibliometric analysis and systematic content review, the study analyzes 389 peer-reviewed publications retrieved from Scopus (2015–May 2025). VOSviewer was employed to conduct performance analysis and science mapping, including co-authorship, co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, and bibliographic coupling analyses. In parallel, qualitative thematic analysis identified six clusters: (1) blockchain in banking and financial intermediation to enhance operational efficiency, (2) decentralized finance and cryptocurrencies, (3) integration of blockchain with other digital innovations, (4) trust-related dimensions, (5) institutional and regulatory aspects, and (6) strategies for modernizing banking business models. The findings reveal a steady rise in research output, regional disparities in collaboration, and thematic evolution from early conceptualization to recent signs of diversification of applied research. By integrating quantitative and qualitative insights, this study highlights key research gaps, offers directions for future work, and provides guidance for academics, practitioners, and policymakers on the transformative potential and challenges of blockchain in banking.

Author Biographies

Sadeq Abdullah Aladeeb, Laboratory of Economics, Finance, Management and Innovation, Faculty of Economics and Management, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco, Department of Accounting and Auditing, Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen

PhD student at the Laboratory of Economics, Finance, Management and Innovation, Faculty of Economics and Management, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco; and lecturer in the Department of Accounting and Auditing, Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen.
Fatima Zohra Sossi Alaoui, Laboratory of Economics, Finance, Management and Innovation, Faculty of Economics and Management, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco

Fatima zohra Sossi Alaoui is an economist . She is currently Associate Professor of Economics at The Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM) at Ibn Tofail University of Kenitra, Morocco.

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