# Merkle-CRDTs: Merkle-DAGs meet CRDTs

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2004.00107 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2004.00107/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 31 Mar 2020.

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types for Neural Network Model Merging: A Two-Layer Architecture Enabling CRDT-Compliant Model Merging Across 26 Strategies](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.19373/) (2026)
- [Byzantine Accountability Without Consensus: Strong Eventual Consistency for Non-Associative, Stochastic, Robust Aggregation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.10305/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We study Merkle-DAGs as a transport and persistence layer for Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs), coining the term Merkle-CRDTs and providing an overview of the different concepts, properties, advantages and limitations involved. We show how Merkle-DAGs can act as logical clocks giving Merkle-CRDTs the potential to greatly simplify the design and implementation of convergent data types in systems with weak messaging layer guarantees and a very large number of replicas. Merkle-CRDTs can leverage highly scalable distributed technologies like DHTs and PubSub algorithms running underneath to take advantage of the security and de-duplication properties of content-addressing. Examples of such content-oriented systems could include peer-to-peer content exchange and synchronisation applications between opportunistically connected mobile devices, IoT devices or user applications running in a web browser.