Should universities replace degrees with blockchain-certified micro-credentials?

As digital technologies transform education, a growing debate questions whether traditional university degrees should be replaced by blockchain-certified micro-credentials. These micro-credentials are digital certificates that verify specific skills or knowledge areas, stored securely and transparently on a blockchain—an immutable, decentralized digital ledger. Unlike a full degree, which often requires years of general and specialized coursework, micro-credentials are more focused, modular, and potentially more adaptable to the fast-changing demands of the modern workforce. This debate touches on major shifts in higher education, credentialing, and employment. Advocates of micro-credentials argue that the traditional degree model may be outdated, expensive, and inefficient in verifying actual competencies. Blockchain technology promises to make certifications tamper-proof, easily shareable, and instantly verifiable by employers, possibly disrupting the monopoly universities have held on academic validation. However, others raise concerns about fragmentation of learning, lack of standardized quality, and the social and intellectual value of a comprehensive education. Degrees often signify more than knowledge—they signal perseverance, maturity, and critical thinking. Can micro-credentials replicate that? Historically, universities have been gatekeepers of knowledge, but digital alternatives challenge this role. This debate explores the future of education, decentralization,