Guest Editorial: Special Section on Next Generation Blockchain Technology With Industrial IoT in Industry 4.0

W E HAVE experienced the revolution brought by Industry 4.0, which incorporating diverse cutting-edge ICT technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), cyber-physical systems, cloud/edge computing, and artificial intelligence (AI). They work together in promoting smart, open and secured industrial systems. Characterized by decentralization, security, traceability, and immutability, blockchain technology has become a crucial driving force in achieving Industry 4.0. However, the intrinsic limitations of current blockchain technology have also prevented the wide adoption of blockchains in industrial systems. Thus, this Special Section in the IEEE TRANSACTIONS