Systems and methods are provided for implementing swarm learning while using blockchain technology and election/voting mechanisms to ensure data privacy. Nodes may train local instances of a machine learning model using local data, from which parameters are derived or extracted. Those parameters may be encrypted and persisted until a merge leader is elected that can merge the parameters using a public key generated by an external key manager. A decryptor that is not the merge leader can be elected to decrypt the merged parameter using a corresponding private key, and the decrypted merged parameter can then be shared amongst the nodes, and applied to their local models. This process can be repeated until a desired level of learning has been achieved. The public and private keys are never revealed to the same node, and may be permanently discarded after use to further ensure privacy.