When users want to add metadata to a blockchain transaction, they can achieve this through a smart contract, which is a self-executing contract with the terms of the agreement directly written into code.

Let’s take Ethereum as an example to understand this process, as Ethereum is well-known for its ability to include metadata in transactions via smart contracts.

Creating a Smart Contract

Before adding metadata, a smart contract must be created. This contract contains instructions on where and how the metadata will be stored. The metadata can be stored in defined variables, typically as a string.

Interacting with the Smart Contract

Individuals must communicate with the smart contract by sending a transaction to add metadata to the blockchain transaction. This can be done using libraries like web3.js or ethers.js or through an Ethereum wallet application.

Verifying the Metadata

Once the transaction is confirmed and added to the blockchain, anyone can verify the metadata by interacting with the smart contract and reading the metadata variables. However, it is important to remember that factors such as gas costs, security, and privacy should be considered when adding metadata to a blockchain transaction.