Official Newsletter of the European Union Blockchain Observatory & Forum - January 31, 2019

We are pleased to present you with our monthly update on the activities of the European Union Blockchain Observatory & Forum.

#EUBlockchain publications

Since last we wrote we were able to post an account of our workshop on Legal Recognition of Blockchains as well as the final version of the academic research report prepared for us on the subject by Dr Robert Herian of The Open University Law School. We recommend these to anyone interested in the issue of blockchain and the legal and regulatory framework in Europe.

There is much more to come. After the winter break we have been catching up on our paper writing, and currently have three thematic reports and one academic research paper in the drafting phase. Over the next few months you can expect new work from us on the following subjects:

• Scalability, Interoperability and Sustainability (thematic report)
• E-Identity (thematic report)
• Legal Recognition of Blockchains and Smart Contracts (thematic report)
• Convergence of Blockchain, AI and IoT (academic research paper)

#EUBlockchain events

The new year has also seen us re-starting our program of workshops. We are currently planning the following:

• Supply chain and traceability: use cases overview → Feb 19, Brussels. Register / View the agenda
• Convergence of Blockchain, AI and IOT → March 28, Brussels. Register

Future workshop themes under consideration (but subject to change!) include blockchain governance, digital assets and blockchain in healthcare.

We will keep you posted.

#EUBlockchain Online Community

The EU Blockchain Map keeps expanding, and now features some 540 initiatives. The map is designed to support a better understanding of the blockchain technology and innovation landscape by dynamically tracking existing blockchain projects, initiatives and events in Europe. Let us know about your projects using this form.

Our online forum keeps growing too as members continue to post interesting news and share their thoughts. Here are some of the issues that caught the attention of our community during the month:

• Report "Blockchain Technology: Building the European Union's Global Leadership"
• Two top European finance regulators, the EBA and the ESMA, have separately said today that cryptocurrency and ICO rules are needed at the EU level.
• Italy’s Senate Moves to Set Legal Foundation for Blockchain Timestamping and Validation of Digital Documents
• BIS: 70% of Central Banks Involved in CBDC Research, Only Several Have Concrete Plans
• UK Financial Watchdog Plans Oversight of Security Tokens, Some Stablecoins
• OECD: ICOs Have Business Financing Benefits But Aren’t a Mainstream Option

If you want to monitor the conversation or have your say, you are invited to join our online community.

We look forward to seeing you there! Inputs from this community of 1,000+ members play a major role in shaping the workshops and publications of the EU Blockchain Observatory & Forum.

Thank you!

As always, we would like to thank everyone who has been active in contributing to the Observatory. None of this would be possible without the participation of all of you in our community.

With best regards,
The EU Blockchain Observatory & Forum