Economic Efficiency of Implementing Blockchain Technologies for Accounting Professional Competencies in the Context of Additional Professional Education

The article is devoted to the economic analysis of the implementation of distributed ledger technology (blockchain) for the accounting of professional competencies in the system of additional professional education (APE). The methodological basis of the study is economic and mathematical modeling, within which Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Return on Investment (ROI) models were developed and parameterized. A distinctive feature of the approach is the integration of the «regulatory risk premium» (RRP) parameter into the analysis. The central hypothesis is the assumption that the potential economic efficiency of blockchain solutions is largely neutralized in conditions of legal uncertainty, leading to a qualitative change in the investment attractiveness of projects. A comparative analysis based on the regulatory approaches of the European Union and the Russian Federation revealed the key reason for the imbalance. It has been proven that in the Russian Federation, the lack of direct legislative recognition of digital verifiable credentials creates systemic uncertainty, which generates significant transaction costs, quantitatively expressed through the RRP. Calculations have shown that for a hypothetical APE center in Russia, the «regulatory risk premium» increases the payback period from 12 to 21 months, transforming it from economically efficient to high-risk. Comparative analysis confirmed the key role of the institutional environment in realizing the economic potential of technological innovations. Conversely, the absence of established regulatory frameworks can contribute to an increase in associated risks, which is objectively reflected in indicators such as the investment payback period. The study emphasizes the relationship between the clarity of the «rules of the game» in the digital environment and the economic outcomes of projects. The practical significance lies in providing an analytical toolkit for evaluating such initiatives, which can be taken into account when formulating development strategies in the field of education and competency management.