EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum: April 2024 Newsletter

We are pleased to present our monthly update on EUBOF activities.

This edition of the #EUBlockchain newsletter includes a brief roundup of upcoming workshops and publications.

NEWS

Call for Papers

Blockchain in Healthcare Today Platform Approaches Journal (BHTY) is the leading international open access journal that amplifies and disseminates platform approaches and distributed ledger technology research and innovation in healthcare. The landmark journal invites multidisciplinary researchers and innovators to submit original research, concepts/methodologies, case use, pilot implementations, reviews, technical briefs, short reports, and opinions. Topics in the field include, and are not limited to:

Distributed Ledger Analytics & databases Development languages and tooling Security, Privacy, Attacks, Forensics Transaction Monitoring and Analysis On-chain and off-chain code Token Economy and incentives Oracles Blockchain as a service Identity management Supply chain management Networking, Edge and Cloud Technologies Federated learning Services or Resources Marketplaces Education, public administration, health Software-defined network Computing theory and architecture Grid and cloud computing and systems Distributed and parallel computing systems Embedded computing and systems Secure OS and Trust OS Mobile and wireless platform Smart home and machine to machine (M2M) network Business management and intelligence IoT and cyber-physical systems Smart grid and its security Scientific and big data visualization platform Smart UI/UX platform Virtual and augmented reality E-Learning & U-Learning platform Semantic web technology platform

Submission Deadlines: July 1, November 1

Please visit: https://blockchainhealthcaretoday.com/index.php/journal/about/submissions

Why Choose BHTY: https://blockchainhealthcaretoday.com/index.php/journal/BHTY

Website: https://blockchainhealthcaretoday.com

MICAR ROUNDTABLE EXPERT SERIES – LONDON

Validvent and thinkBLOCKtank are excited to announce the release of the comprehensive report from the MiCAR Roundtable Expert Series in London! This event brought together top experts to discuss key challenges of the MiCAR regulatory framework. The discussions in London focused on sustainability requirements, the regulatory treatment of EMTs, and the challenges related to reverse solicitation in digital platforms.

You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dvAv-nxZ

A BLOCKCHAIN MANIFESTO: EMBRACING ITS POTENTIAL IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The European Union (EU) is at risk of falling behind North America and Asia in the global race for the future digital economy, as demonstrated by its reliance on foreign digital service providers and the limited number of unicorns and start-ups compared to its competitors. This race is characterized by the development of innovative technological advancements that bring unique opportunities, principles, and embedded values. While we recognize the intrinsic value of technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics, we believe that blockchain will serve as the trust layer for the convergence of all these technologies, allowing them to build upon each other and form the framework of the future digital economy.?This manifesto is our pledge to promote the use of blockchain technology for the greater benefit of all and to do so based on shared values around decentralization, privacy, security, transparency, sustainability, and legal/regulatory compliance.

Blockchain is more than a technological advancement. It stands as a symbol of positive and transformative potential in an era of significant changes. Although initially focused on IT and finance, blockchain goes far beyond digital innovation in financial services: It is also about building a better internet, one that offers a solid framework for unparalleled transparency, trust, and citizen empowerment. In this sense, as we will show, blockchain is closely aligned with EU?aims and values . For example, it enables tools that make judicial and governance processes transparent, and supply chains faster and more ethical. Marginalized groups have access to services and a voice through digital identities, and the economy is strengthened with new and more inclusive financial applications. By fostering decentralized digital rights, blockchain helps strengthen human rights and ensures these values remain at the heart of the EU’s digital transformation.

Blockchain’s capacity to enhance data security, trust, and data immutability positions it as an ideal solution for interlinking diverse technologies and systems including data spaces, cross-platform applications, machine learning and AI models, IoT devices, supply chain networks, healthcare data, energy grids, carbon offsets, and digital identity solutions.?

Read & sign the Manifesto here.

Research Paper on Decentralized Brands in Social Media Networks & Beyond

A new research paper, by S?nic? Alboaie (Axiologic Research), Kristina Livitckaia and Konstantinos Votis (Centre for Research and Technology Hellas) was published earlier this month as a follow up of the Decentralized Social Media Thematic report.

In our era of rapidly advancing technology, the detrimental consequences of Moloch's race, a metaphor for self-perpetuating competitive behaviour that leads to suboptimal or catastrophic outcomes, can be mitigated through innovative concepts like 'decentralized brands'. These ideas represent a shift from a singular unit of value (i.e., particular currency), advocating for a diversified and resilient system. Implementing decentralized brands inside decentralized social media networks may be a crucial first step towards this transformation. By leveraging artificial intelligence technology together with blockchain technology, we can counterbalance the inherent friction costs of decentralization, thus facilitating the coexistence of various value systems. This shift from centralized structures to a more decentralized model fosters sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities, providing a feasible strategy to evade the pitfalls of Moloch's race. The centralized nature of current social media platforms has raised concerns regarding data privacy, control, and manipulation. Decentralized social networks, characterized by distributed control and user empowerment, offer a promising strategy for creating decentralized brands. This paper outlines background and research ideas across multiple disciplines to understand better and achieve the vision of decentralization that supports general social interests.

The paper is available for reading and downloading here .

CHAISE Statement of Support

Is your company future-proof for the #blockchainrevolution? Here are three emerging job profiles you should add to your team ??

Sign our Statement of Support to recognize the added value of these roles for the competitiveness of European companies: https://chaise-blockchainskills.eu/statement-of-support/

Building a Chain of Transformation: Join the BC100+ Manifesto and Drive Global Sustainable Impact

BC100+ is an initiative that brings together a variety of organizations across different sectors. The initiative’s main goal is to raise awareness about the potential of? blockchain for social impact and sustainability. BC100+ explores the potential of blockchain technology to address systemic issues such as inequality, poverty, and climate change by rebuilding trust, empowering communities, asserting accountabilities, and re-distributing value on a global level. With its core features, blockchain technology could play a role in the acceleration of much-needed changes within our global food system, energy infrastructure, and biodiversity protection, among other issues. At the core, BC100+ intends to promote quality debate, raise awareness, and clarify the opportunities of blockchain’s role in realizing the UN Charter Values and the 2030 Agenda.

Members of the BC100+ Steering Committee are excited to announce the release of the BC100+ Manifesto , a defining document that sets forth the principles and vision for driving positive change through blockchain technology. With this milestone, the BC100+ initiative takes a momentous stride towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.

The Manifesto represents a commitment by the BC100+ signatories to leverage blockchain technology's transformative potential for social good. It outlines a comprehensive set of guiding principles that shape the actions and goals of the BC100+ initiative. The initiative accepts applications from a diverse range of organizations from three target groups: blockchain projects and experts, UN offices with blockchain projects, and SDG projects with or without blockchain applications. Successful applicants will be accepted based on their alignment with the BC100+ Manifesto's principles.

By becoming part of BC100+, organizations can be at the forefront of positive transformation through blockchain technology. They will gain access to a vibrant ecosystem of like-minded peers, forging new collaborations, and driving collective action towards shared sustainable development goals. Moreover, they will have the valuable opportunity to engage with other organizations, facilitate collaboration, organize, and participate in various events and activities, share knowledge and expertise, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities.

While BC100+ has exciting plans, the release of the Manifesto marks the first milestone of this system's leadership. It sets the stage for an era of innovation and collaboration, where blockchain technology can be harnessed to address some of the world's most pressing challenges, facilitating collaborative leadership to enable trust- building, learning and empowered action among stakeholders who share a common goal.

You are invited to read and sign the Manifesto!

The Blockchain Skills for Europe Alliance (CHAISE) invites organisations to support the project goals and outcomes via a Statement of Support

The CHAISE Statement of Support calls on Blockchain stakeholders from across Europe, such as IT companies, sector representatives, policy actors, social partners, standardisation organisations, national qualification agencies, VET and HE institutions, trainers/mentors, and field experts to:?

• acknowledge the emerging occupational profiles in the Blockchain field and the defined skills and knowledge requirements, and
• contribute to the advancement of the project’s objectives to reinforce education in digital competences, based on the principles of common interest, reciprocity, and complementarity.

Check out this?page ?to find out more.?

• about the Blockchain Occupational Profiles as defined by CHAISE
• the CHAISE Blockchain VET Programme.

The Statement of Support is available?here ?and you can sign it off, by completing the form available?here .

Upcoming Events

AMA About Digital Art – April 30th 2024

Whether you're an experienced digital artist or simply curious about venturing into this amazing space, this session is for you. The experts will explore the basics, share insights on starting your #digital art journey, and present the highlights of the incredible project @frameit_art, which among many other cool things, will focus on elevating female artists and giving them the visibility they deserve.

Don't miss this opportunity to engage with experts and enthusiasts alike in a discussion on #digital art, its importance, and how to make your mark.

• Date & Time: 30th of April at 16:00 CET
• Location: Online Livestream via Validvent Zoom.
• Click here to register: https://t.co/Ixr2bw8gXt

Join the event to celebrate creativity in the virtual world!

Blockchain Standardisation for Public Policies and Services

Friday, May 3, 2024 - 11:00?to?Friday, May 3, 2024 - 12:00

In the upcoming SEEBLOCKS webinar, the panellists will discuss the different purposes and practices of standardisation on the global stage with a focus on the differences between the USA and the EU. In particular, they will delve into the significance of blockchain standardisation in public services, highlighting its role in accelerating the digitisation process, reducing data flow, and fostering the development of smarter, more sustainable urban environments. Finally, when debating technology and the public sector, it is of utmost importance that discussions about blockchain technology are complemented by considerations of its social implications, ensuring the formulation of fair and balanced standards. This crucial topic will be also tackled in our webinar and will for sure spark a discussion that will take place at the end of the event under the supervision of our moderator.

Who should attend?

• Policy Makers involved in Standards and ICT technical specifications?
• Public Administration offering public services
• Large, Medium and Small Enterprises across different types of businesses
• Vertical Industries
• Public Research Organisations and Higher Education Institutes
• Standard Development Organisation & Certification Bodies?

If interested, register here !

Blockchain Horizons – INATBA Academic & R&D Forum

May 22, 2024 – Darmstadtium, Darmstadt Germany

The INATBA Academic Advisory Board is proud to announce the 1st edition of?Blockchain Horizons:?INATBA’s Academic and R&D Forum, bringing you a full-day of conversations about where research meets reality in blockchain innovation. This event will explore blockchain’s potential across various sectors. The Forum will gather experts to discuss recent DLT research, propose strategies for global adoption, and foster collaboration between researchers and businesses for real-world application.

Check out the agenda , buy your tickets and find out more here !

Latest and Upcoming EUBOF Publications

• Our latest report on the Interoperability of Blockchain Networks was published at the end of November. Through this report we attempt to explain what blockchain interoperability is, how it works, and why it is important; it also presents the different approaches. In the report, we further present the different types of interoperability, including sidechains, atomic SWAP protocols and cross-chain automated market makers, token bridges, native payments, contract calls, and programmable token bridges. Finally, the report discusses the future of blockchain interoperability. You can read and download the report here
• Our report on Decentralised social media was published at the end of October. This report provides an overview of how social media has evolved from the use of static internet protocols (Web 1.0) to metaverse and decentralized platforms (Web 3.0). ‘Traditional’ social media platforms centralize the authority around decisions, leading to concerns about censorship, content discovery, and revenue generation. Decentralized social media aims to shift content sharing and discovery, empowering users with greater control, and ultimately leading to the freedom of speech and expression. The report helps further dig into

o?? Current landscape of decentralized social media

o?? Introduction to Fediverse and ActivityPub protocol as central concepts

o?? Types of decentralized platforms and technological underpinning

o?? Key differences with the social media of our times

o?? Advantages and challenges

You can read and download the report here .

All past reports are available here .

We have scheduled the following thematic reports to be published soon:

• The Open Virtual World –Virtual World Unchained”: this report delves into defining the basic differences between the notion of “Virtual World” and “Open Virtual World” by explaining the core values, and the key differences, focusing also on challenges and opportunities. Additionally, the report explores key regulatory considerations – with a special focus on EU regulations.
• ‘Traceability of products & product passports: a blockchain-based perspective’ – The aim of this report is to examine how the digital product passport (DPP) aims to create a system that can store and share all relevant information throughout a product’s life cycle. This would provide industry stakeholders, businesses, public authorities, and consumers with a better understanding of the materials used in the product as well as their embodied environmental impact.
• Blockchain for management of Intellectual Property Rights: There is a wide range of blockchain uses (patent management, trade secret management, IP rights, and registries, evidence of use, traceability, certification trademarks, evidence of creation, IP enforcement, anti-counterfeiting, supply chain tracking, provenance authentication, digital rights management). In this report, we examine industrial property rights, the impact of NFTs in IPR, relevant standards, and considerations for the appliance.
• The latest developments of the EU Blockchain Ecosystem – 2024: Our most anticipated report, summing up latest developments in all EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, UK and Ukraine will be published by May 2024. The report will examine the developments in the industry, market, research and academia as well in the regulatory and legal environments.

More updates coming up soon!