News: GBBC Partners with AI 2030 for Upcoming Initiatives

GBBC Partners with AI 2030 for Upcoming Initiatives Photo of GBBC + AI 2030

AI 2030, a global initiative leading the charge for Responsible AI, announced the launch of two transformative programs: the AI 2030 Data Challenge and the AI 2030 Awards.  

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) is proud to be partnering with AI 2030’s initiatives, alongside industry leaders Sustainable IT, Empire AI, Decentralized AI Society, University of Dubai, and Woxen University. These initiatives aim to address critical challenges in AI adoption, including bias, transparency, governance, and sustainability, while recognizing organizations that exemplify ethical AI leadership and innovation. 

On the announcement, GBBC CEO Sandra Ro shared, “GBBC is thrilled to collaborate with AI 2030 to drive accountability and transparency through blockchain and AI integration. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to human-centric and inclusive technology ecosystems.” 

AI 2030 New Programs

GBBC Partners with AI 2030 for Upcoming Initiatives

News: GBBC Announces 2025 Ambassador Cohort 

2025 Ambassador Announcement

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) Ambassadors are innovators and changemakers who strive to provide powerful insights, particularly in areas of technology, governance, law, finance, civil society, and academia.
Since its inception, GBBC has relied on our global Ambassador network to expand our community, presence, and impact. GBBC Ambassadors act as trusted advisors to GBBC’s leadership and members, providing invaluable guidance and assistance on how to engage with diverse local communities to carry out our mission to the highest standards.
With an immense community that continues to grow at a rapid pace, we have refreshed our network of GBBC Ambassadors to streamline the program, ensuring an engaged cohort for the year ahead. The 2025 GBBC Ambassador cohort enriches GBBC’s global reach with 283 Ambassadors across 124 jurisdictions and disciplines. 
GBBC’s 2025 Ambassador cohort includes 49 new ambassadors and 9 new jurisdictions and disciplines: Bhutan, Cambodia, Energy Infrastructure, Latin America (LatAm), Malaysia, Malta, Paraguay, Standards, and Trading and Markets.


GBBC Announces 2025 Ambassador Cohort 

News: GBBC releases 2024 Annual Report, “On the Cusp of Mass-Scale Convergence"

Annual Report Announcement 2024

2024 marked a transformative year for blockchain, as real-world use cases demonstrated potential across industries such as supply chain, finance, and sustainability. Jurisdictions worldwide embraced emerging technology with clearer regulations and frameworks, fostering innovation and adoption.
On top of this, public-private collaborations were pivotal in driving progress, showcasing how partnerships can accelerate blockchain’s integration into critical sectors and deliver tangible value.
Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) is pleased to release our 2024 Annual Report, showcasing the scope of our various initiatives and our members’ work from 2024 as organizations had the opportunity to bring blockchain into the limelight.
Read GBBC’s 2024 Annual Report, ‘‘On the Cusp of Mass-Scale Convergence ” to explore the use cases developed by our community and learn more about how GBBC was on the move in 2024, including updates from our APAC and EMEA teams, the research done through the Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) 5.0, meetings with regulators and policymakers, and more.
A special thank you to our GBBC members who contributed to this report. Access the Annual Report and view our full list of contributors.


On the Cusp of Mass-Scale Convergence

GBBC releases 2024 Annual Report, “On the Cusp of Mass-Scale Convergence"

News: Global leaders to gather in Davos to explore blockchain and digital asset innovations

Image: AMBCrypto news item

Global leaders to gather in Davos to explore blockchain and digital asset innovations

News: GBBC Summits Response to HM Treasury

GBBC Summits Response to HM Treasury

GBBC appreciates HM Treasury’s initiative to develop a growth plan for the UK’s financial services sector. Our response emphasizes the importance of fostering innovation, improving regulatory frameworks, and addressing broader ecosystem factors to ensure the UK remains competitive globally.

We focused on identifying key barriers to growth, such as the need for streamlined regulatory processes, enhanced support for startups, and the importance of proportional frameworks for fostering innovation. We also draw on experiences from other jurisdictions, such as the Middle East and EU countries, and their regulatory pathways, offering lessons for the UK to enhance its appeal to global firms. Additionally, we outlined how sandboxes could be made more effective. We hope that by addressing these challenges, particularly in areas such as digital assets, tokenization, and AI-driven solutions, the UK can position itself as a global leader in financial services.

We are grateful to our members for their contributions and would welcome the opportunity to discuss our response further with HM Treasury.

News: GBBC Launches Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) 5.0

GSMI-5-cover

The fifth iteration of Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC)’s Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI 5.0) is out now! GSMI 5.0 is the most comprehensive effort to map and analyze the blockchain and digital assets ecosystem. This launch includes the following key highlights:

- Interactive Map of Global Regulatory Developments from 230 Jurisdictions & 6 International Bodies 
- 67 Technical Standards Bodies Advancing Blockchain Developments 
- Taxonomy & Definitions for 391 Key Terms 
- Accredited Universities offering 1,500+ Courses and Professional Certifications 
- Blockchain and Digital Assets Landscape with 2,000+ Stakeholders 
- New In-Depth Reports on Supply Chain, Sustainability, AI Convergence, Digital Identity, and Decentralized Finance 
- Country Spotlight on India

A huge thank you to all our working group members and final reviewers for their valuable inputs leading up to the GSMI 5.0 launch.

Download the full report [here](https://www.gbbc.io/uploads/gsmi50.pdf) and the executive summary [here](https://www.gbbc.io/uploads/gsmi50/GSMI-5.0-Executive-Summary-2024%5b18%5d.pdf). Learn more about GSMI [here](https://www.gbbc.io/gsmi).

GBBC Launches Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) 5.0

News: GBBC Joins the Equity 2030 Alliance

GBBC Joins Equity 2030 Alliance

GBBC is excited to have joined the Equity 2030 Alliance, an initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) that seeks to accelerate actions to normalize gender equity in science and technology. We are proud to share that GBBC members are also taking action to join the Equity 2030 Alliance, including Algorand Foundation, Hedera, and Taxbit.

GBBC is steadfast in its commitment to fostering gender equity within the blockchain and digital asset industry. This commitment extends to ensuring that women's voices are equitably represented in industry discussions, events, and public-facing initiatives at all levels.

GBBC CEO, Sandra Ro, has also joined the Equity 2030 Alliance Expert Group, consisting of individuals who are committed to providing technical and policy guidance for the alliance to drive the change.
Learn more about the Equity 2030 Alliance and how your organization can get involved here.
GBBC would like to thank Nigina Muntean, Emma Hietaniemi, and the rest of the UNFPA team for their leadership in pushing the dial forward when it comes to gender equity. 


GBBC Joins the Equity 2030 Alliance

GBBC Joins the UNFPA's Equity 2030 Alliance

News: Polymesh Association Joins GBBC

Polymesh Joins GBBC

Polymesh Association has joined GBBC as a member.
"We are pleased to welcome Polymesh Association as a member," Sierra Lewis, Director of Community & Operations at GBBC shared. "Tokenized securities and real world assets play a key role in the future of digital finance. By striking the right balance of compliance, governance, and confidentiality, the ability to leverage blockchain can improve opportunities for financial access, globally."
Read the full announcement here. 


Polymesh Association Joins GBBC

News: New Release: What is H.R. 2969?

Announcement: New Release: What is H.R. 2969?

In July 2023, Rep. Zachary Nunn [R-IA-3] introduced H.R. 2969, also known as the Financial Technology Protection Act of 2023, a bill designed to combat the use of cryptocurrency for terrorism and illicit financing.

GBBC has prepared a fact card on "What is H.R. 2969?” as part of our “Just the Facts” infographics series, explaining the key provisions, how the bill passed the House in July 2024, and what the next steps are. 
Download it here. 
GBBC is a non profit focusing on education, partnerships, and standards for the blockchain and digital assets community. GBBC does not lobby. 


New Release: What is H.R. 2969?

News: GBBC Releases Fact Card on Global Layer One (GL1)

GBBC Releases GL1 Fact Card

"Global Layer One", a whitepaper focused on the development of a foundation layer for financial networks, was released in June 2024 as a collaboration between the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), international policymakers, and financial institutions. Global Layer One (GL1) focuses on enhancing cross-border payments and the settlement of capital market instruments by providing an open, standards-based platform for financial institutions using distributed ledger technology.

As part of our "Just the Facts" series, GBBC has released a fact card that focuses on what GL1 is, who is involved, the architecture, design principles, and next steps.
Download it here.
Read the full whitepaper on GL1.

GBBC is a non profit focusing on education, partnerships, and standards for the blockchain and digital assets community. GBBC does not lobby. 


GBBC Releases Fact Card on Global Layer One (GL1)

News: Applications for the GSMI 5.0 Review Committee Are Now Open

Apply to GSMI 5.0 Review Committee

Get involved with the most comprehensive effort to identify resources and recommendations for the blockchain and digital assts community by applying to GBBC's Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) 5.0 Review Committee!

Each year, we invite the global community to contribute feedback to help shape the discourse around blockchain standards, fostering innovation and collaboration in this transformative field.

This year, GSMI’s Working Groups are centered on taxonomy, technical standards, and applications of blockchain technology for digital identity, sustainability, supply chain, DeFi, and artificial intelligence (AI)'s convergence with blockchain.

Apply now.


Applications for the GSMI 5.0 Review Committee Are Now Open

News: Submit a Course: GSMI 5.0 University Listing

Submit a Course: GSMI 5.0

Are you or your educational institution offering a course on blockchain technology and digital assets? Fill out the form below to let us know.

GBBC’s Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) features a list of 1,500+ blockchain courses offered by accredited universities and educational institutions. This resource is for students and professionals seeking formalized education and training, as well as academics and researchers seeking to connect with each other on common topics of interest.

Access the form here.

View list of mapped out courses from last year's GSMI 4.0 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7jkX9Wb 

Submit a Course: GSMI 5.0 University Listing

News: GBBC's International Journal of Blockchain Law Volume IX is Now Live

Announcement: IJBL Volume IX

Written and edited by lawyers, GBBC’s International Journal of Blockchain Law (IJBL) is designed to help interested business and non-legal communities better understand the regulatory world of blockchain and digital assets. 
Volume IX encompasses legal updates from around the globe, shining light on Türkiye, South Korea, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Switzerland, with an overview of regulatory sandboxes across Thailand, Hong Kong, European Union, and United Kingdom. This also includes a link to the recent “Emerging Topics in Blockchain Law” webinar, where lawyers delved into global considerations of digital currencies, the interoperability between CBDCs and stablecoins, and more.
Congratulations to the editors and contributors: Areeb Ahmad, Dr. Matthias Artzt, Diego Ballon Ossio, Roza Celebi, Ahmet Demirtaş, Guilherme Hellwig, Eric Hess, Locknie Hsu, Hyun-Il Hwang, Elcin Karatay, Mooni Kim, Nina Moffatt, Pankhuri Malhotra, Maxime Ochrymowicz, Jaechong Oh, Stephen Palley, Soham Panchamiya, Abhay Raj, Thanaporn Rattanakul, Darko Stefanoski, Thiago Luis Sombra, Jake van der Laan, and Gary Weingarden.
Read it here. 


GBBC's International Journal of Blockchain Law Volume IX is Now Live

News: GBBC-USA, on behalf of USBC, Files Amicus Brief

Cover Image: GBBC-USA, on behalf of USBC, Files Amicus Brief

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC)-USA, on behalf of U.S. Blockchain Coalition (USBC), has filed an Amicus Brief on appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming No. 22-cv-125 alongside The Digital Chamber (TDC). 
GBBC-USA and TDC both have a strong interest in this case and a vital perspective to provide as coalitions with substantial experience in the digital asset space. Denying state-chartered banks a dependable path to participate in the national banking scheme simply because they hold digital assets poses a direct threat not just to the trillion-dollar blockchain industry's sustained growth and success, but also to every present and future industry that may fall into disfavor with federal regulators despite operating completely within legal bounds.  
We extend our sincere thanks to the law firm Clement & Murphy for their incredible oversight in drafting this brief. Their dedication and expertise have been invaluable throughout this process. We also express our gratitude to our members who contributed their deep insights, guaranteeing that the brief reflects the collective wisdom of our community. Additionally, we appreciate the collaboration of The Digital Chamber.
Together, we strive to create an environment where the cryptocurrency industry can flourish without facing prejudice, thereby promoting a secure, dynamic, and inclusive financial ecosystem for all stakeholders. Our collective efforts are a testament to the power of collaboration in driving meaningful regulatory clarity and advancing the future of digital finance. 
View the complete brief here.
Access GBBC's fact card here.
**GBBC is a non-profit focusing on education, partnerships, and standards for the blockchain and digital assets community. GBBC does not lobby


GBBC-USA, on behalf of USBC, Files Amicus Brief

News: GBBC Partners with Digital Euro Association (DEA)

Cover Image: GBBC Partners with Digital Euro Association (DEA)

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) is delighted to share we have partnered with the Digital Euro Association (DEA), a think tank specializing in central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), stablecoins, crypto assets, and other forms of digital money with a focus on the digital Euro. This alliance represents a pivotal collaboration aimed at enhancing the understanding and deployment of blockchain technology and digital currencies across the globe. 
GBBC’s Emma Joyce, Head of EMEA and Senior Managing Director, Financial Services, shared, “GBBC is delighted to partner with the Digital Euro Association, a leading independent think tank. We look forward to working together with our community on advancing education and promoting a greater understanding of digital money, and the intricacies surrounding regulation on this topic." 
Read the full announcement here.
This announcement marks the third partnership for GBBC with digital money think tanks. We are thrilled to support the dedication and momentum behind The Digital Dollar Project (DDP), Digital Pound Foundation (DPF), and Digital Euro Association. 
🇺🇸 Learn more about DDP: https://digitaldollarproject.org/  
🇬🇧 Learn more about DPF: https://digitalpoundfoundation.com/  
🇪🇺 Learn more about DEA: https://home.digital-euro-association.de/en  


GBBC Partners with Digital Euro Association (DEA)

News: TabbFORUM at Consensus 2024: GBBC’s Sandra Ro on Blockchain Evolution

GBBC CEO Sandra Speaks with TABB Group CEO Bruce Morris at Consensus 2024

During CoinDesk’s Consensus 2024 this past May, Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) CEO Sandra Ro sat down with TABB Group CEO Bruce Morris to discuss the positive developments and regulatory wins taking place across the blockchain and digital assets space. 

Sandra commented, “We have seen movement on the United States side. We have seen movement on now MiCA being implemented... But we are also seeing movement out of Japan, out of Singapore, out of South Sub-Saharan Africa: these are flashpoints all over the world. And I think what we need to realize and keep reminding ourselves is this is a global trend, a global development.” 

Watch the full interview on TabbFORUM

TabbFORUM at Consensus 2024: GBBC’s Sandra Ro on Blockchain Evolution

News: Dave Treat, GBBC Board Director, Appointed to CTO of Pearson

Cover Image: Dave Treat Joins Pearson

GBBC would like to congratulate Board Director Dave Treat for his new appointment to the Chief Technology Officer of Pearson. 
On the announcement, Dave commented, "Coming from a family of educators and with my own background in education, I'm excited to combine my love of learning with my expertise in the tech space. Human experience is defined by how we learn, what we know, and how we apply knowledge. Now, it’s all up for reinvention. I’ve dedicated my career to the development and application of innovative technologies and I'm looking forward to doing that in service of education and learning.”
Read the full press release here.


GBBC Board Director Dave Treat joins Pearson as CTO

Dave Treat, GBBC Board Director, Appointed to CTO of Pearson

News: GBBC Joins Global Synchronizer Foundation

Cover Image: GBBC Joins GSF 

During Point Zero Forum, the Canton Network announced the go-live of the Global Synchronizer, its decentralized interoperability infrastructure. 

The Global Synchronizer is operated and governed in a decentralized manner, with internet-like scalability, ensuring that no single party controls the service and there is no single point of failure, harnessing the benefits of decentralized finance. 

GBBC is thrilled to announce our role as a governance participant under the Global Synchronizer Foundation, a project supported by The Linux Foundation. The Global Synchronizer Foundation is an independent entity that will provide transparency to governance actions carried out by super validators (the operators of the decentralized infrastructure) and ensure openness and organizational neutrality in the development and deployment of the Global Synchronizer and its related applications. 

Yuval Rooz, CEO and Co-Founder of Digital Asset and Board Director, GBBC shared, “Having convened industry-leading firms over the past year for the initial launch and subsequent testing of the Canton Network, we are excited to have the governance and incentive mechanisms in place to facilitate the adoption and use of the Network as it goes live.” 

Congratulations to the Canton Network, Digital Asset, and Linux Foundation teams for convening organizations from across traditional and digital finance to provide open governance, transparency, trust, and innovation to the future of finance. 
Learn more about the Global Synchronizer Foundation here.
Read the full announcement about the Global Synchronizer here.


GBBC Joins Global Synchronizer Foundation

News: Steering Committee To Propose Disclosure Framework for Digital Asset Tokens

Steering Committee To Propose Disclosure Framework for Digital Asset Tokens

GBBC, the Global Digital Asset and Cryptocurrency Association (Global DCA), Digital Chamber of Commerce, and Proof of Stake Alliance have organized a Senior Steering Committee to propose disclosure guidelines for digital asset tokens offered in the United States. 

The Steering Committee, designed independently of industry stakeholders to provide an objective and impartial disclosure proposal, is composed of top law scholars, finance scholars, and U.S. attorneys across the United States: Chris Brummer (Georgetown Institute), Lewis Cohen (Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP),  Patrick Daugherty (Foley & Lardner LLP and Cornell University Law School), Daniel Davis (Katten, Muchin Rosenman LLP), Zachary Fallon (Ketsal PLLC),  Merrit B. Fox (Columbia Law School), Carol Goforth (University of Arkansas School of Law), Yuliya Guseva (Rutgers Law School), Joel Hasbrouck (NYU Stern School of Business), Lilya Tessler (Sidley Austin LLP) and Yesha Yadav (Vanderbilt University Law School). 

Read the full announcement here 

News: GBBC Submits Response to ESMA75-453128700-1002 Consultation

GBBC Submits Response to ESMA75-453128700-1002 Consultation

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) is delighted to share our consultation response to European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)’s Consultation on the Technical Standards specifying certain requirements of MiCA (3rd package).  GBBC welcomes ESMA’s work in establishing robust guidelines, standards and procedures which contribute to investor protection, market confidence and prevent market abuse.

This consultation response focuses on the guidelines and technical standards proposed by ESMA. Our analysis addresses several key issues, including the scope of Article 92, identifying and defining PPAETs, and considering whether miners, validators, and CASPs should be encompassed by the regulation.

Through the process of consolidating the different perspectives from around Europe, we stress the necessity of effective cross-border regulatory coordination and adherence to global standards ensuring that EU regulations maintain market integrity and investor confidence.  We  advocate for amendments to the draft guidelines to enhance risk disclosures, security measures, and investor education.

A huge thank you to the GBBC members that contributed to this response, and to GBBC’s Dimitrios Psarrakis and Adrian Matak.  

Event Recap: GBBC at Consensus 2024

Event Recap: GBBC at Consensus

The Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) team joined CoinDesk's Consensus 2024.
May 28 | GBBC, in partnership with Zodia Custody, hosted an invitation-only dinner where we discussed key themes impacting institutional adoption, including the potential policy shift, ETF landscape, and the importance of industry collaboration in the digital assets landscape. 
May 29 | GBBC and Latham & Watkins LLP co-hosted, "The Future of Digital Assets in the US," a closed-door roundtable discussion alongside CoinDesk’s Consensus 2024 where Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives Tom Emmer (MN-06) gave opening remarks. GBBC members across the industry discussed developments in innovation and challenges in the U.S. digital assets market, identifying recommended actions and next steps. 
May 31 | GBBC CEO Sandra Ro joined the panel, "From DeGen to ReGen: Using Blockchains to Coordinate Environmental Action" with Jonathan Rackoff (The HBAR Foundation), Steven Haft (Consensys; Ethereum Climate Platform), Catherine Bischoff (Sovereign Nature Initiative), and Lucía Gallardo (Emerge). 
May 31 | To wrap up the week, Sandra delved into the world of AI and deepfakes on the panel, "From Taylor Swift to the 2024 Election: Deepfakes vs. Truth” with Lindsay Walker (Starling Lab for Data Integrity), Pete Pachal (The Media Copilot), and Sarah Brandt (NewsGuard). 

GBBC was grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many of our members and ambassadors. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the crucial conversations that need to be had regarding the future of blockchain and digital assets. 


GBBC at Consensus 2024

News: GBBC's Global Standards Mapping Initiative Referenced in Milken Institute's Roundtable

GBBC's Global Standards Mapping Initiative Referenced in Milken Institute's Roundtable

On April 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C., the Milken Institute hosted a private roundtable bringing African policymakers and regulators together with the digital asset industry. 
This roundtable convened industry associations and think tanks specializing in regulatory innovation and financial transformation, corporates and foundations, development partners, Pan-African institutions, and more to discuss what countries in Africa are working on when it comes to digital finance and the upcoming developments. During the overview of digital asset regulation in Africa, participants drew insights from individual countries as well as GBBC's Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI). 
Learn more about the roundtable and the role of GBBC's GSMI here.


News: Sandra Featured on Owl Explains Podcast

GBBC CEO Sandra Ro Joins Owl Explain's Miniseries, "Blockchain Trade Associations"

Recently, Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) CEO Sandra Ro joined part 2 of the Owl Explains by Ava Labs miniseries, "Blockchain Trade Associations" with Ava Labs' Sylvia Sanchez.

Sandra, alongside Ian Taylor (KPMG), Alison Mangiero (Proof of Stake Alliance), and Jannah Patchay (Digital Pound Foundation), shared insights into key blockchain developments, policy updates, and the reality of which use cases are being brought to life.

As Sandra discussed the types of use cases emerging and the adoption by governments, she mentioned, “There is a lot of exploration and conversations that we have had at GBBC with different governments around the implementation of blockchain solutions for tracking and tracing."

Listen in to the full podcast to learn how blockchain is reshaping financial inclusion and data management.

News: GBBC Board Director Dimitrios Psarrakis Joins Owl Explains by Ava Labs

GBBC Board Director Dimitrios Psarrakis Joins Owl Explains by Ava Labs

Last week, GBBC Board Director Dimitrios Psarrakis joined the Owl Explains by Ava Labs podcast with Sylvia Sanchez to explore the intersection of blockchain, AI, and financial innovation.

When expanding on the ways blockchain and AI in conjunction can contribute to the competitiveness of the financial system in the European Union (EU), Dimitrios shared, “To me, it's not about having smart assets through the blend of tokenization and artificial intelligence and dump liabilities, or getting the benefits of improving the performance of the asset. It's about a new constellation of activities that will emerge for the banking sector to perform boring activities in a completely different and very productive way.” 
Listen in to the full podcast here.


Event Recap: Kenya Blockchain & Crypto Conference

KBCC Recap

GBBC CEO Sandra Ro headed to Nairobi, Kenya to deliver a keynote during the second edition of the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference (KBCC) 2024, a gathering of industry experts, thought leaders, and enthusiasts passionate about the transformative potential of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. 

This year’s event delved deeper into the “Role of Blockchain in Shaping Africa’s Economic Landscape.” The conference aims to be a nexus of ideas, innovations, and collaborative efforts as we explore the transformative potential of blockchain technology in propelling Africa towards economic prosperity. Watch the recording from Sandra's session (starting at 51:32).


News: GBBC and TABB Group Announce Media and Marketing Partnership

GBBC and TABB Group Announce Media and Marketing Partnership

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) and TABB Group, industry leaders at the forefront of blockchain and financial innovation, have announced an exciting new media and marketing partnership.
As the world continues to embrace blockchain technology and digital assets, collaboration and knowledge-sharing are crucial. This GBBC and TABB partnership expertise and reach to propel adoption and understanding of blockchain in the global business landscape.
What Does This Partnership Mean?
Expanded Reach: By joining forces, GBBC and TABB Group will expand their influence within the blockchain and financial communities, delivering research and insights to a wider audience.
Cross-Industry Collaboration: The partnership facilitates cross-industry collaboration, enabling stakeholders from various sectors to connect, exchange ideas, and drive blockchain and financial innovation.
Educational Initiatives: GBBC and TABB Group will jointly develop educational initiatives, workshops, and events to increase awareness and understanding of blockchain and its applications.

For more information about GBBC and TABB Group, please visit: Global Blockchain Business Council and TabbFORUM
Company Profiles


News: GBBC DSS Consultation Featured in Ledger Insights

GBBC DSS Consultation Featured in Ledger Insights

GBBC was featured in the Ledger Insights article, "UK Digital Securities Sandbox: limits and digital currency highlighted in consultation feedback."
Read the full article here.


GBBC's DSS Consultation Featured in Ledger Insights

News: GBBC Response to Bank of England and FCA Digital Securities Sandbox Consultation Paper

GBBC Response to Bank of England and FCA Digital Securities Sandbox

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), with the help of our members, is pleased to have submitted a response to the Digital Securities Sandbox consultation paper presented by the Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

We welcome the efforts of the Bank of England and the FCA in fostering an innovative financial landscape through the Digital Securities Sandbox. 

In our response, we have outlined recommendations developed by GBBC’s members, throughout a series of roundtables and discussions, as part of the GBBC DSS Working Group. Our response addresses six key themes for the regulators to consider, focusing on inclusiveness, a systemic support framework for innovative emerging business models, and the development of clearer guidelines for communication and negotiations between regulators and Sandbox participants. 

Read the full response here.

GBBC thanks the Bank of England and FCA for working with the industry. We would also like to thank our DSS Working Group, co-chaired by GBBC Board Director Dimitrios Psarrakis and Arun Srivastava, Partner at Paul Hastings, plus all our members who contributed to this response. Special thanks to our European Policy Analyst, Adrian Matak. 
published

GBBC Response to Bank of England and FCA Digital Securities Sandbox


GBBC Response to Bank of England and FCA Digital Securities Sandbox Consultation Paper

News: GBBC Releases "Just the Facts" Infographic Series

GBBC Releases "Just the Facts" Infographic Series

With the latest movements taking place across policy in the U.S., GBBC is thrilled to introduce our "Just the Facts" infographics series, which highlights recent policy developments around the globe to explain what they are and what is next for the industry. 

Check out the "Just the Facts" infographics below to learn more:
"What is FIT 21?"
"What is SAB 121?"
"The ‘Stable’ Divide: USA vs Europe Approach to Regulating Stablecoins"

GBBC is a non profit focusing on education, partnerships, and standards for the blockchain and digital assets community. GBBC does not lobby.


News: GBBC and Hyperledger Foundation Release "Learning Tokens" Special Report

GBBC and Hyperledger Foundation Release Special Report, "Learning Tokens"

Hot Off the Press: Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) and Hyperledger Foundation have released "Learning Tokens," a special report that dives into blockchain’s role in representing the value of transmission of knowledge by tokenizing the learning process.   
Education is a fundamental asset that develops human capacities. Drawing on the Token Taxonomy Framework of GBBC’s InterWork Alliance (IWA), use of standardized tokens for evaluation and certification can validate educational achievements at a granular level – not only upon completion of a degree or certificate, but also upon completion of milestones along the way.  Opportunities range from more inclusive and participatory learning environments, transparent and inclusive labor markets, and supporting economic development to improve human lives. 
Thank you to the Hyperledger Foundation team, including the mentorship program's Alfonso Govela, Linux Foundation Mentor, and Tanjin Alam, Linux Foundation Mentee 2023; Linux Foundation Mentor. 
Download the report here.


GBBC and Hyperledger Foundation have released "Learning Tokens"

GBBC and Hyperledger Foundation Release "Learning Tokens" Special Report

News: GBBC Submits Responses to ESMA Consultation Papers on Reverse Solicitation and Criteria for the Classification of Crypto-Assets as Financial Instruments

GBBC Submits Responses to ESMA Consultation Papers on Reverse Solicitation and Criteria for the Classification of Crypto-Assets as Financial Instruments

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), with the help of our members, is pleased to have submitted two responses to European Security and Market Authority (ESMA)'s consultation papers:

ESMA75-453128700-52 MiCA Consultation Paper - Guidelines on the qualification of crypto-assets as financial instruments
We welcome the work of ESMA in providing its suggestions. We recognise the difficulty to establish clear criteria in a space where 27 member-states may have different definitions of what a financial instrument or security is. We understand that this multiplicity of definitions is a major challenge and we believe that it is time for the Union to ensure consistency and clarity.  

Read our response in full here.

ESMA35-1872330276-1619 Consultation Paper - Guidelines on reverse solicitation under MiCA
We believe ESMA should take into account various factors when assessing whether activities are targeted towards EU customers, including the language used, the geographic location of the audience, and the specific content and context of the activities. This nuanced approach can help avoid misinterpretations and ensure that regulatory requirements are applied appropriately. A balanced and pragmatic approach is needed to distinguish between activities targeting EU customers and purely local activities. By considering the specific circumstances and intentions behind these activities, regulators can mitigate the risk of overreach and support the continued participation of non-EU financial service providers in the EU market.

By promoting transparency and cooperation between regulators and industry participants, regulators can effectively enforce regulations while minimising unnecessary burdens and disruptions to legitimate business activities.

Read our full response here.
GBBC thanks ESMA for working with industry and asking for comments.


GBBC Statement on New York State FY23 Budget

GBBC issues statement on new authority for New York State Department of Financial Services to assess supervisory charges for virtual currency businesses.

GBBC Statement on New York State FY23 Budget - Global Blockchain Business Council

News: GBBC Partners with the Digital Pound Foundation

Announcement graphic for GBBC & DPI partnership

GBBC Partners with Digital Pound Foundation

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) is delighted to join the Digital Pound Foundation (DPF) as a strategic partner.

Through this partnership, we will collaborate across a range of shared priorities, including community outreach, policy development, and advocacy initiatives with a focus on educational and awareness campaigns, such as podcasts, webinars and other events.

GBBC's Emma Joyce, Head of EMEA and Senior Managing Director, Financial Services, shared, “GBBC is delighted to partner with the Digital Pound Foundation, a leader in promoting greater understanding of new forms of digital money. Partnerships are integral to our mission, and together with our members and partners, we are committed to advancing adoption of blockchain technology.”

Learn more in DPF's announcement here.

GBBC Partners with the Digital Pound Foundation

News: New Release: CET Protocol Version 1.0 - IWA

IWA CET Protocol Version 1.0 Release

Paying tribute to Earth Day, the InterWork Alliance (IWA), a Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) initiative, has released the Carbon Emission Token (CET) Protocol - Version 1.0 report, following the public comment period which ended February 2024. 
The CET Protocol uses the IWA’s Token Taxonomy Framework (TTF) to define, and provide guidance for, the tokenization of emissions. The goal of this effort is to advance and strengthen emissions reporting through technical guidance, specifications, and best practices of tokenized carbon emissions and related data structures, such as measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV). This can be leveraged across environmental accounting use cases, including to meet new regulations such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), SB 253 and 261 in California, and the US SEC emissions reporting requirements. 
By leveraging distributed ledger technology (DLT), emitting organizations can gain: 
Transparency, accuracy, and quality in data for inter-organizational and intra-organizational emissions following verifiable methodologies and rulesets for accounting. 
Referenceability across parties for indirect emissions reporting, while maintaining provenance of both data and the rulesets under which it is collected. 
A clear aggregate view of the ecological footprint of emitters globally. 

This document is the result of over a year of discussions within the IWA’s CET Taskforce. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this effort:  Accenture, Avery Dennison, Blockchain Laboratories, Circulor, CodeGreen, Envision Blockchain, Ernst & Young (EY), HBAR Foundation, Heritage Royalty, Hyphen Global AG, Microsoft, Protocol Labs, Rearden Digital Assets, RecycleGO, SwirldsLabs, The dCarbon Group, Triangle Systems, Wells Fargo, and several individual contributors.  
If you have further feedback on the document or wish to get involved in the IWA’s taskforce in the future, please reach out to iwa@gbbcouncil.org. 
Check out the report here.
Learn more about TTF 
Learn more about CSRD
Learn more about SB 253 and SB 261
Learn more about the SEC emissions reporting requirements


IWA Releases CET Protocol - Version 1.0

News: Sandra Featured in the list "Les 20 femmes leaders de la blockchain en 2024" 

"Les 20 femmes leaders de la blockchain en 2024" 

Congratulations to Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) CEO Sandra Ro for being featured in, "Les 20 femmes leaders de la blockchain en 2024" by Aziz Harcha at Le Monde Féminin.

With the global reach of GBBC quickly expanding, Sandra has spearheaded these efforts, helping to grow GBBC to more than 500 institutional members and 301 ambassadors across 117 jurisdictions. In the article, Aziz Harcha shares that Sandra's influence spans both traditional and Web3 ecosystems, "...where she consistently advocates for a more human-centric approach to technology and finance."

Access the full article here. 

Congratulations to GBBC CEO Sandra Ro for being featured in, "Les 20 femmes leaders de la blockchain en 2024"

GBBC CEO Sandra Ro Featured in, "Les 20 femmes leaders de la blockchain en 2024" 

Recording: GSMI Roundtable Series: Technical Standards

GSMI Roundtable Series: Technical Standards

On Friday, February 16th, join GBBC's Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) 4.0 Technical Standards Working Group for a virtual roundtable, with co-chairs Dan Conway (University of Arkansas), Neil Wasserman (The George Washington University), and GBBC's Diana Barrero Zalles.
During the roundtable, they will examine the 63 technical standards bodies highlighted in GSMI 4.0, identifying proposed outcomes that these bodies are focused on, and next steps for GSMI 5.0. Register below to join.


GSMI Roundtable Series

GSMI 4.0 Roundtable Series: Technical Standards

GSMI 4.0 Roundtable Series: Digital Identity

On Friday, February 23rd, join GBBC’s Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) 4.0 Digital Identity Working Group on Friday, February 23rd, featuring chair Sankarshan Mukhopadhyay (Dhiway) alongside GBBC's Diana Barrero Zalles and James Loperfido.

As we explore the world of digital identity, Sankarshan, Diana, and James will unpack the GSMI 4.0 Digital Identity report, including the challenges encountered in digital identifiers and action needed to drive the technology forward. Access the GSMI 4.0 Digital Identity report here to prepare for the discussion.

Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) 4.0 Roundtable Series: Digital Identity

Videos: The Future of the Digital Finance Strategy of the EU: A Global Perspective

Speaker Tile for Brussels Event - Feb. 20th

On February 20th, Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) members joined MEP Ondřej Kovařík in Brussels for, “The Future of the Digital Finance Strategy of the EU: A Global Perspective,” as we take stock on what the EU has achieved so far, assess the global impact of its regulatory initiatives, and identify additional initiatives that will allow innovative finance to scale. 
Looking ahead, the forum explores the future of EU digital finance from 2024-2029, focusing on completing key strategies and adapting to new trends like tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi). Watch the recordings.


A New Digital Finance Paradigm

The Future of the Digital Finance Strategy of the EU: A Global Perspective

News: IWA in Blockchain 4 Energy

IWA Blockchain for Energy

The InterWork Alliance (IWA), an initiative of the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), empowers organizations to adopt and use token-powered services in their day-to-day operations, across use cases and networks, bringing inclusivity to globally distributed applications.

Today, Blockchain for Energy (B4E) — a non-profit consortium of energy companies including Chesapeake Energy, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, ExxonMobil, Repsol, Saudi Aramco, and more — has announced B4ECarbon, an emissions management solution that leverages blockchain, AI, and IoT systems, developed in collaboration with Enovate AI.

B4ECarbon was developed with input from IWA’s frameworks and standards to advance data integrity and interoperability, alongside collaboration from GBBC members, including Hedera Hashgraph for data management and transparency, and technical support from Rearden Digital Assets.

Read the full announcement here.

B4ECarbon was developed with input from IWA’s frameworks and standards to advance data integrity and interoperability, alongside collaboration from GBBC members

GBBC's IWA Frameworks and Standards to Advance Data Integrity and Interoperability in the Energy Sector with Blockchain for Energy

News: IJBL Releases Volume VIII

IJBL Volume VIII Announcement

Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) is thrilled to release Volume VIII of the International Journal of Blockchain Law (IJBL). IJBL is written and edited by lawyers, designed to help interested business and non-legal communities better understand the regulatory world of blockchain and digital assets.

Volume VIII of International Journal of Blockchain Law is Now Live

News: ValueVerse and GBBC Release CFTC Digital Assets Taxonomy Comparison Report

CFTC Digital Assets Taxonomy - ValueVerse and GBBC (Cover)

ValueVerse - Digital Finance Strategy Group and Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) have prepared a report to compare the proposed taxonomy of the U.S. CFTC with the taxonomy of the EU

ValueVerse and GBBC Release CFTC Digital Assets Taxonomy Comparison Report

News: Diana at CFTC GMAC DAMS Meeting

Diana GMAC DAMS Taxonomy

GBBC's Diana Barrero Zalles Presents at U.S. CFTC GMAC Committee Meeting

Media: Q&A: Sandra Ro on Blockchain and Opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Sandra Ro

Q&A: Sandra Ro on Blockchain and Opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

How Blockchain is Changing Everything

How blockchain is changing everything

Global Blockchain Business Council Leverages Systems Change to Solve Problems At Scale 

GBBC CEO Sandra Ro Feature in BitIRA

Pandemic Highlights Inefficient Systems: Blockchain Can Help

GBBC CEO Sandra Ro Pens, “United States in Distress: Changemakers Needed Now”

United States in Distress: Changemakers Needed Now

GBBC CEO Sandra Ro Interview with Dragonchain

The Global Blockchain Business Council in 2021 and Beyond

“Não precisamos de um novo regulador para uma regulação de criptoativos melhor” by GBBC CEO Sandra Ro

Não precisamos de um novo regulador para uma regulação de criptoativos melhor

GBBC CEO Sandra Ro, “Dear Crypto Derivatives Industry, Let's Not Repeat 2008”

Dear Crypto Derivatives Industry, Let’s Not Repeat 2008

GBBC’s Sofia Arend Co-Authors, “What the COVID-19 pandemic has taught crypto community about curbing our emissions”

What the COVID-19 pandemic has taught crypto community about curbing our emissions

”4 ways to boost blockchain in consumer finance” Featuring GBBC CEO Sandra Ro

4 ways to boost blockchain in consumer finance

Experts debate how to move crypto regulation forward

Media: ”Experts debate how to move crypto regulation forward” Featuring GBBC CEO Sandra Ro

Cryptocurrencies

”Experts debate how to move crypto regulation forward” Featuring GBBC CEO Sandra Ro

At Ethereal Summit: A Human Face on Blockchain Future

Media: ”Casting a positive or negative light? – Exploring the impact recent events could have on encouraging more institutional engagement with Cryptocurrencies” Featuring GBBC CEO Sandra Ro

Vivek Shankar

”Casting a positive or negative light? – Exploring the impact recent events could have on encouraging more institutional engagement with Cryptocurrencies” Featuring GBBC CEO Sandra Ro

#Hyperledger Women Share their Blockchain Journeys – Part III

GBBC Featured in, “6 Lessons for Creating Blockchain Standards”

6 lessons for creating blockchain standards

GBBC Featured in, “6 Lessons for Creating Blockchain Standards”+

GBBC CEO Sandra Ro Featured in "Crypto's big two weeks: Here's what happened and what it could mean"

Over the last two weeks, there has been substantial progress toward furthering digital currency regulation in the United States prior to Congressional recess. Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) CEO Sandra Ro was […]

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