Distributed Coherence Ledgers: a Theoretical Framework for Blockchain as a Recursive Structural Substrate

Blockchains today validate consensus over sequences of events without assessing whether each addition contributes meaningfully to systemic structural persistence. I propose a formal framework for Distributed Coherence Ledgers (DCLs), systems that embed coherence gradients, curvature constraints, and recursive arbitration as first-class validation criteria. Drawing from recursive coherence theory, I define a bounded, scale-invariant metric quantifying the recursive reinforcement of alignment across blocks, replacing purely probabilistic finality with coherence-weighted consensus. Each block includes coherence yield, compression delta, and entropy contribution, allowing validators to select sequences that maximize cumulative coherence while sustaining curvature within viability bounds. This approach reframes blockchains not as passive append-only logs but as adaptive substrates capable of encoding the persistent structural relevance of transactions over time. The resulting architecture aligns with infrastructural computing, advancing cognitive invisibility and seamless integration into societal workflows. I derive formal validation functions, consensus selection equations, and bounded curvature constraints, situating this paradigm within broader coherence-centric epistemology. Distributed Coherence Ledgers represent a foundational shift in how distributed systems can maintain long-term viability under entropy, contradiction, and recursive stress.