Comparative analysis of the legal effects of electronic contracts in the blockchain Environment

The evolution of information technologies and the expansion of digital platforms have led to the emergence of a new type of contract known as "smart contracts" within the blockchain network structure. Utilizing cryptographic mechanisms and self-executing code, these contracts automatically perform the parties' obligations without a human intermediary. This research aims to examine the legal effects of such contracts within the Iranian legal system and provide a comparative analysis with European and American legal systems. The research methodology is library-based and analytical-descriptive, with data extracted from reputable domestic and international scholarly sources. The findings indicate that despite the characteristics of blockchain-based contracts—namely transparency, immutability, and technical reliability—there is still no clear legal framework governing their formation, evidentiary value, or enforcement mechanisms under Iranian law. The most significant challenges include determining the constituent elements of contract validity in a decentralized environment, liability arising from algorithmic errors, and the judicial proof of transactions. Based on the findings, blockchain has the potential to create a reliable and efficient platform for concluding electronic contracts, provided that the relevant legal rules concerning digital signatures, civil liability, and electronic arbitration systems are revised and adapted accordingly.