Starting today, European Digital Currency & Blockchain Technology Forum (EDCAB), a European public policy platform for virtual currencies and distributed ledger technology, is co-organizing a flagship industry expo for policymakers in the European Parliament in Brussels from 18 to 21 April 2016, in conjunction with the Cobden Centre.

The interest in digital currency and blockchain technology has been growing by leaps and bounds. In a bid to catch on to this trend, the virtual currency and blockchain technology industry has founded the EDCAB, which aims to shape a sound regulatory and policy agenda for virtual currencies and distributed ledger technology in Europe.

Siân Jones, EDCAB Founder, comments “For a strong and comprehensive policy and regulatory framework, collaboration based on indepth understanding of the technology and open debate is vital. The creation of EDCAB signals industry’s commitment to work with policymakers over the long term to achieve positive outcomes for the sector and the European citizens it serves”.

The expo, “Virtual Currencies and Blockchain Technology: Europe’s Future”, being hosted by Syed Kamall MEP, will culminate in three roundtables, moderated by Siân Jones, for industry and policymakers:

• “Virtual currencies: The future of money” setting out how Europe’s economy might benefit from public and private alternatives to government-issued currency.
• “Blockchain: Trusting distributed ledger” exploring how the technology might improve trade, economic prosperity, governance and the lives of citizens.
• “Regulating virtual currencies and blockchain: A balancing act”.

The Brussels based Forum will be a ‘one stop shop’ for industry engagement with EU policymakers, legislators, regulators, and law enforcement. Independent and non-profit, EDCAB provides a forum for dialogue on live issues and future policies; creating better understanding and building trust and transparency. The Forum will act as a platform to provide thought leadership, highlight best practice and respond to policy developments on areas of industry consensus.

Leading players in the financial services sector such as Barclays and NASDAQ will join representatives from Blockchain (of blockchain.info) and Circle Internet Financial from the fintech world. Industry will meet with participants from the World Bank, IMF, The Bank for International Settlements, OECD, the European Securities and Markets Authority, and Europol, along with representatives from all EU institutions and academia.

Europe is consistently making efforts in the digital currency and blockchain space. The Council of the European Union has called for legislation (with regard to virtual currencies) to be tabled by the end of June 2016. The European Parliament is preparing an own initiative report on virtual currencies, with the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs scheduled to vote on the report on 25th April 2016. In addition, the European Commission has been considering regulation of virtual currencies through its Action Plan and proposals to combat terrorist financing, with legislation ready for the end of June.