What European Blockchain Association does

The European Blockchain Association (EBA) is a German non-profit association (eingetragener Verein, e.V.) founded in 2018 and headquartered in Munich at Oskar-von-Miller-Ring 36. It is structured as a Decentralised Semi-Autonomous Organisation (DSAO) and operates as a neutral coordinating body that aggregates, synchronizes, and leverages blockchain-related activities of European corporations, startups, venture capitalists, and scientific institutes. Its core technology stack is organizational rather than infrastructural: a Git-versioned governance framework documented in LaTeX, a Slack-based member collaboration environment, and the CrowdstartCoin (XSC) ERC20 token used as an internal reward mechanism that has been distributed to over 13,000 individuals. The association operates six active working groups covering staking infrastructure (EUPoS), self-sovereign identity (EUSSI), tokenization and NFTs (EUTOK), crypto custody (EUCUS), training and education (EDU DAO), and governance, alongside a Verified Staking Provider program with StakingRewards and a network of local EBAx hubs across Europe.

The EBA's commercial product surface consists of organizational memberships (free for universities and associations; EUR 10,000 plus travel expenses for fund and corporate members on multi-year contracts), the TUM-co-branded Certified Blockchain & DLT Manager certification program (Module 1 at EUR 1,990, Module 2 at EUR 1,890, Module 3 at EUR 825, with 10% discounts for TUM alumni and BMW Group employees), and a 15% license fee on revenues generated by EBAx local hubs. Distribution is hybrid: direct membership enrollment, the TUM/Datarella education partnership, the EBAx hub channel, and international MoUs with organizations such as the Thai Fintech Association, Hyperledger Foundation, Dubai Future Foundation, DLT Austria, and INATBA. The association does not disclose revenue, has not raised external venture capital, and was initially funded through a donation of 40% of Crowdstart Capital's XSC token supply.

Its primary customers are European blockchain startups, enterprises and financial institutions exploring DLT, universities and research institutes (notably TUM), staking infrastructure and crypto service providers, venture capitalists, and individual blockchain professionals. The EBA's strategic positioning is anchored in regulatory advocacy: it has submitted consultation responses to ESMA on MiCA RTS, to IOSCO on DeFi policy recommendations, and has engaged with the EDPB on GDPR blockchain guidelines, while in 2025 becoming an early signatory of the Digital Freedom Declaration. The organization has no subsidiaries, no parent company, and no disclosed M&A activity, and continues to operate with 11-50 staff.

Name

European Blockchain Association

Legal name

European Blockchain Association e.V.

Website

https://europeanblockchainassociation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The European Blockchain Association is a German non-profit that coordinates Europe's blockchain ecosystem through working groups, local hubs, TUM-co-branded certification, and regulatory advocacy on MiCAR, GDPR, and DeFi policy, serving corporations, startups, universities, and crypto service providers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blockchain Industry Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Consortium Networks & Governance (network setup, onboarding, rules, node operations) (FSAPAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Governance / DAO Validator Participation & Delegation Infrastructure (FSADAKAL), On-Chain Reputation, Identity & Attestation for Governance (DID, badges, sybil resistance) (FSAPAHAF), Compliance, Risk & RegTech for Tokenized Assets (KYC/AML, sanctions, travel rule, reporting) (FSAPAIAH)

Keywords

• Blockchain industry association
• Distributed ledger working groups
• Blockchain certification programs
• Digital asset policy advocacy
• Decentralized governance network

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Organizations, companies, universities and individuals join as members with varying fee structures. Universities and associations receive free membership with travel expenses covered, while fund/corporate members pay EUR 10k plus travel expenses.
2. Professional Certification Programs: Revenue from the Certified Blockchain & DLT Manager program offered in partnership with TUM. Module 1 (Basic) costs EUR 1,990, Module 2 (Specialisation) costs EUR 1,890, Module 3 (Coaching) costs EUR 825, with 10% discounts for TUM Alumni and BMW Group employees.
3. EBAx License Fees: Local EBAx hubs pay a 15% license fee on their revenues to the European Blockchain Association.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The European Blockchain Association operates as a non-profit membership association that aggregates and coordinates blockchain-related activities across Europe for corporations, startups, venture capitalists, universities, and individual professionals. It delivers value through specialized working groups (staking infrastructure, self-sovereign identity, tokenization, custody, education), a licensed local hub program (EBAx), and the TUM Certified DLT & Blockchain Manager certification. Its governance is structured as a Decentralized Semi-Autonomous Organisation (DSAO) with an XSC ERC20 token-based member reward system.

Product overview

The European Blockchain Association (EBA) is a non-profit membership organization designed as a Decentralised Semi-Autonomous Organisation (DSAO) that serves as a neutral body to aggregate and coordinate blockchain activities throughout Europe. Rather than offering a single unified product, EBA provides a portfolio of engagement programs including multiple specialized Working Groups (EUPoS for staking infrastructure, EUSSI for self-sovereign identity, EUTOK for tokenization, EUCUS for custody), the EBAx local hub program, the Certified DLT & Blockchain Manager certification in partnership with TUM, an open tender/reward system using CrowdstartCoin (XSC), and membership services for organizations and individuals. The organization focuses on education, standards-setting, lobbying, and community-building rather than commercial product offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EUPoS: Proof of Stake Working Group - dedicated to boosting education about staking and advancing the staking industry
• EUSSI
• EUTOK
• EUCUS
• EDU DAO
• EBAx
• VSP

Products and services

• EBA Membership Organizational and individual membership program offering access to EBA working groups, networking events, tenders, and the European blockchain ecosystem. Designed for corporations, universities, associations, and professionals.
• Certified DLT & Blockchain Manager Program Professional certification program offered in partnership with TUM School of Management and Datarella covering technical, business, social, and legal aspects of blockchain-based solutions for corporate leaders. Delivered in three paid modules (Basic EUR 1,990; Specialisation EUR 1,890; Coaching EUR 825).
• EBAx - Local EBA Hubs Licensed local hub program that kickstarts and establishes EBA hubs throughout Europe, providing services and meeting points for blockchain startups, organizations, and communities. Hubs operate under license from EBA with a 15% revenue share.
• EUPoS - Proof of Stake Working Group An interdisciplinary forum supporting the adoption of Proof of Stake blockchain consensus protocols, including educational work, lobbying efforts toward political decision-makers, standards-setting, and best-practice development.
• EUSSI - Self Sovereign Identity Working Group Working group dedicated to advancing privacy-preserving identity technology in Europe, providing an independent platform for the European SSI community to exchange information, share knowledge, and develop best practices.
• EUTOK - Tokenization & NFT Working Group Working group building an engaged community of digital practitioners in tokenization and NFT, addressing securitization, incentivization, governance, security, utility, and social tokens.
• EUCUS - Custody Working Group Working group focused on bringing clarity and standards to the emerging field of crypto asset custody, bridging the gap between regulation and technology.
• EDU DAO - Training and Education A Decentralized Autonomous Organization initiative for blockchain training and education institutions, focused on making blockchain knowledge applicable in entrepreneurial environments.
• Verified Staking Provider Program (VSP) A partnership program with StakingRewards for verified staking providers, enabling trust and transparency in the European staking ecosystem.
• EBA Tenders A reward system where community members can earn CrowdstartCoins (XSC) by contributing to the ecosystem through open tenders for developing widgets, creating curated lists, and other community activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 13,000 individuals rewarded through XSC token system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Digital Freedom DeclarationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2025EBA became one of the first signatories of the Digital Freedom Declaration, a stand for sovereignty, openness, and decentralized values in Europe's digital future.
• DLT AustriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2025Strategic partnership between the European Blockchain Association and DLT Austria, a leading non-profit advancing blockchain technology in Austria. Both organizations share vision for blockchain advancement in the region.
• MetaSpaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2024Partnership between MetaSpace and EBA to transform the decentralized gaming landscape, aimed at amplifying networking, innovation, and knowledge exchange in the gaming sector.
• INATBAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2024EBA and INATBA (International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications) released a comprehensive joint report exploring the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technologies.
• Thai Fintech AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2024The EBA and Thai Fintech Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen mutual collaboration, networking, and exchange between European and Asian fintech players, particularly regarding standardization, regulation, and education.
• Dubai Future Foundation (Dubai Assembly for Generative AI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2023EBA partnered with Dubai Assembly for Generative AI, organized by Dubai Future Foundation, representing significant milestone in collaboration between European and Middle Eastern tech ecosystems.
• Hyperledger FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2023EBA and Linux Foundation's Hyperledger Foundation agreed to work together to accelerate development and adoption of business blockchain technologies throughout Europe, participating in each other's communities.
• Technische Universität München (TUM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBA partners with TUM School of Management to deliver the Certified Blockchain & DLT Manager program, combining academic rigor with industry expertise through Datarella.
• DatarellacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnterprise blockchain company co-developing the Certified Blockchain & DLT Manager program alongside TUM and EBA, contributing industry expertise and practical knowledge.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• INATBA (International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications): Brussels-based international association for blockchain applications, the most direct peer to EBA as both serve as neutral industry bodies engaging EU institutions on DLT policy and standards. The two have already co-published a joint AI/blockchain report, underscoring their overlapping mandate.
• DLT Austria: Austrian non-profit advancing blockchain technology with a similar working-group and policy-advocacy model; entered a strategic partnership with EBA in February 2025, indicating close alignment in mission and member overlap.
• Blockchain Association (US): US trade association advocating for the blockchain industry with policymakers; directly comparable organizational model to EBA (membership-funded, policy advocacy, working groups), serving as the closest US analogue.
• Crypto Council for Innovation: Global alliance of crypto industry participants focused on policy engagement with regulators and standard-setters; comparable to EBA in mission (advancing favorable frameworks) though broader in geographic remit.
• Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC): Switzerland-based industry association convening blockchain leaders across geographies with policy, education, and working-group programs — a global-scale analogue to EBA's Europe-centric structure.
• Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA): Member-led organization setting enterprise Ethereum specifications and standards; comparable as an industry body with working groups, certification programs, and corporate membership tiers, though focused specifically on the Ethereum ecosystem.
• Chamber of Digital Commerce: Washington DC-based blockchain trade association advocating for digital asset policy and industry standards; functionally analogous to EBA in advocacy, education, and member services but operating in the US regulatory environment.

Emerging players

• Hyperledger Foundation: Linux Foundation-hosted community advancing enterprise blockchain standards; partners with EBA and overlaps on its mission of driving business blockchain adoption in Europe, though focused on open-source technical frameworks rather than policy advocacy.
• Web3 Foundation: Swiss foundation funding and stewarding decentralized web infrastructure (Polkadot/Kusama ecosystem); comparable as a non-profit steward of a blockchain ecosystem with grants and standards programs, though more ecosystem-specific than EBA's industry-wide scope.

Regional players

• Bitcoin Association for BSV: Switzerland-based industry organization supporting a specific blockchain ecosystem through education, advocacy, and developer support; comparable to EBA's structure of working groups and policy engagement, but ecosystem-aligned rather than pan-industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EUBLASORG
• GitHubgithub.com/European-Blockchain-Association
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-blockchain-association-e-v

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about European Blockchain Association