The scientific community is increasingly interested in leveraging decentralized technologies to address systemic challenges such as the reputation economy, the monopolization of academic publishing, and the replication crisis. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the Decentralized Science (DeSci) landscape in 2023, focusing on organizational structures, technological foundations, and funding mechanisms of DeSci projects and organizations. A 16-question survey was distributed to DeSci projects between December 2023 and April 2024, and responses from 49 projects were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Results highlight the prominent role of Ethereum as the dominant blockchain platform in DeSci, the varied applications of blockchain in scientific processes, and a significant emphasis on community building and infrastructure development. Funding sources within the ecosystem are moving towards partnerships with more traditional organizations, including academia. However, most projects lack DAO features for governance. It remains uncertain whether they will adopt more DAO-like structures in the future or deploy a different organizational model. Our findings offer a comprehensive overview of the progress and challenges facing the DeSci ecosystem, including slow project progression due to leadership issues and limited funding for most DeSci projects. By identifying key patterns and areas for improvement, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors driving success and sustainability in DeSci.

This study addresses the substantial gap in the academic literature on blockchain technology literacy by proposing a Blockchain Technology Literacy Test (BTLT). Through a comprehensive literature review of eight databases, only nine publications with limited focus on blockchain technology literacy were identified. The inconsistency in definitions and predominant emphasis on cryptocurrency literacy further complicate the development of standardized assessments. Based on the results of the literature review and the development of the BTLT, with a focus on terms and technological aspects, an updated list of cryptocurrency literacy questions was proposed as the Cryptocurrency Literacy Test (CLT) to avoid duplications and redundancy in the assessment of relevant blockchain technology and cryptocurrency-related knowledge. The BTLT and CLT aim to distinguish between blockchain technology and cryptocurrency literacy, thereby ensuring comprehensive and accurate assessments. The findings emphasize the need for clear definitions and frameworks within the blockchain ecosystem and call for expanded research to include emerging applications, such as DeFi, DeSci, DAOs, and Web3. This study provides a foundation for future educational efforts and literacy assessments in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.