[author: Heidi Wardle]

On February 2, 2018, the European Commission (“EC“) launched an observatory and forum dedicated to promoting discussion and collaboration on issues arising from blockchain technology. The forum will be for IT specialists, industry, public authorities, regulators, supervisory bodies and members of the public, to allow them to come together and discuss blockchain and the issues and opportunities it presents.

The Blockchain Observatory and Forum will be run by the blockchain software technology company ConsenSys, and its main objectives will be to coordinate across geographical borders, consolidate know-how, take advantage of opportunities and demonstrate thought leadership.

More information from the Commission about the forum and on Blockchain technologies more generally can be found here.