Civilnopravno razumevanje sklepanja in izvrševanja pravnih poslov s transakcijami na verigi blokov

slovenian

2026

volume 52, issue 3/4

blockchain   declaration of intent   digital signature   dispositive legal transaction   legal transaction   obligational legal transaction   receipt theory   smart contract   transaction

Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

This paper examines the civil-law qualification of interactions carried out through blockchain transactions, focusing on whether and at what point cryptographic signing and the ensuing state change on the ledger constitute a legally effective declaration of intent and/or a step in the formation or performance of a legal transaction. The central thesis is that "smart contracts" should not be treated as a novel legal institution, but rather as a technical automation mechanism within conventional contractual processes. The legally relevant conduct lies primarily in the user’s act of preparing, signing, and submitting a transaction. The paper distinguishes technical execution (a change of blockchain state) from execution in the civil-law sense (performance of an obligation), and argues that a single digital signature typically carries at least two layers of intent: an unavoidable intent directed to the network/service providers to process the transaction for a fee, and, depending on context, an intent concerning the underlying legal transaction (e.g., swap, loan, acceptance of an offer, or discharge of an obligation). The paper provides a general framework for civil law analysis and understanding of all types of legal transactions carried out via blockchain.

12.10.2026