A new report on a clinical workflow concept argues that blockchain-based “smart contracts” could help automate and audit key trial processes, including patient matching, consent acquisition, data permissioning, monitoring and stakeholder coordination. The proposal focuses on traceability and integrity—using self-executing agreements to timestamp events and track activity without intermediaries—aimed at improving trust in clinical trial data. The authors also reviewed real-world applications of smart contracts across studies, spanning recruitment, informed consent, randomization and adverse event reporting. While framed as a trust and administrative improvement, the study notes that transitioning into validated clinical and regulatory environments requires further evaluation across actual stakeholders.