What European Crypto Initiative does

The European Crypto Initiative, operating primarily as the European Ethereum Institute (EEI), is a Brussels-based advocacy and education organization founded in 2021 that shapes EU regulation in favor of open, permissionless, and decentralized blockchain applications. Its core offerings are advocacy services — proposing amendments to regulatory proposals, submitting formal consultation responses to bodies such as the European Commission, the EDPB, the FCA, and the Bank of England — and educational products including EEIpedia (a structured knowledge base on Ethereum, blockchain, and EU regulatory frameworks including MiCA, AML, DLT Pilot Regime, and DORA), the EEI Library, and the EEI Dictionary. The organization serves three primary constituencies: EU policymakers and regulatory bodies (its core engagement target), Crypto Asset Service Providers and DeFi protocols, and SMEs and innovative blockchain startups seeking favorable regulatory conditions.

EEI operates without a commercial revenue model, funded instead through supporter contributions and partnerships. Its 1-10 person team is co-founded and led by Marina Markezic (Executive Director) and is embedded in a strategic ecosystem of 18+ partner organizations spanning foundations (Ethereum Foundation, Gitcoin), DeFi protocols (Lido, Optimism), national blockchain associations (German Blockchain Association, ADAN, Nordic Blockchain Association, UBIK), and research bodies (COALA, DeFi Education Fund, idOS Network), with FleishmanHillard providing communications support. The organization differentiates as the only industry body providing dedicated attention to decentralized use cases in EU regulatory advocacy, positioning itself as blockchain-agnostic and value-driven rather than protocol-aligned.

Name

European Crypto Initiative

Legal name

European Ethereum Institute

Website

https://eu.ci

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The European Crypto Initiative (European Ethereum Institute) is a Brussels-based, non-profit advocacy and education organization founded in 2021 that shapes EU and UK regulation in favor of open, decentralized blockchain applications, serving policymakers, Crypto Asset Service Providers, and blockchain startups through formal consultation responses and educational resources like EEIpedia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blockchain and Crypto Regulatory Advocacy

NAICS

Securities and Commodity Exchanges (523210)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Risk Management, Controls, Governance & Policy (Crypto) (FSADALAJ)

Keywords

• Crypto regulatory advocacy
• Blockchain policy research
• EU crypto education
• Decentralized finance policy
• Industry association networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The European Crypto Initiative (operating as the European Ethereum Institute, EEI) is a Brussels-based non-profit advocacy and education organization that shapes EU crypto regulation on behalf of decentralised blockchain use cases. It provides regulatory advocacy (proposing amendments, submitting formal consultation responses), educational content on Ethereum, blockchain, and EU regulation, and industry networking across an 18+ partner ecosystem. Activities are funded through supporter contributions and partnerships rather than commercial product sales.

Product overview

The European Ethereum Institute (EEI) operates as a policy advocacy and educational organization rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of advocacy services for shaping EU crypto regulation, an educational knowledge base (EEIpedia) covering Ethereum, blockchain technology, and EU regulatory frameworks (MiCA, DORA, AML, DLT Pilot), supplemented by a resource library and dictionary. The institute focuses specifically on decentralised use cases and provides regulatory responses and feedback to European policy bodies. The organization collaborates with industry partners and other blockchain associations to amplify shared positions with lawmakers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advocacy Services Core advocacy offering: proposing amendments to EU regulatory proposals that support European crypto industry actors, specifically focused on decentralised use cases. Targets EU policymakers and regulators through position papers, consultation responses, and direct engagement.
• Regulatory Response Submissions Formal responses and feedback submissions to regulatory bodies (Bank of England, FCA, European Commission, EDPB) on matters affecting crypto assets, DeFi, stablecoins, lending, staking, open digital ecosystems, and GDPR anonymisation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Submitted regulatory responses to Bank of England consultation on systemic stablecoins (Feb 2026)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ethereum FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary strategic partner and supporter. The Ethereum Foundation is the non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Ethereum and its ecosystem. EEI features EF prominently on its website as a key partner in the 'We work with' section.
• GitcoincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting EEI's mission. Gitcoin is known for quadratic funding and public goods funding in the Ethereum ecosystem. Listed in EEI's 'We work with' section.
• OptimismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLayer 2 scaling solution for Ethereum and major ecosystem player. Listed as a key partner in EEI's network, supporting advocacy for open, permissionless applications.
• LidocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Ethereum liquid staking protocol. Partner in EEI's ecosystem working to support decentralized infrastructure and favorable regulatory conditions.
• idOS NetworkcoreTechnology or IntegrationDecentralized identity solution integrated into EEI's partner network. Supports the organization's focus on user-controlled identity in DeFi and blockchain applications.
• ADAN (Association pour le Développement des Actifs Numériques)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench crypto industry association. Represents French crypto sector interests and collaborates with EEI on European regulatory advocacy efforts.
• Canadian Web3 CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian Web3 industry advocacy organization. International partner collaborating on regulatory best practices and policy positions.
• COALA (Coalition of Automated Legal Applications)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research initiative working on smart contracts and blockchain law. Collaborates with EEI on regulatory and legal frameworks for blockchain applications.
• Croatian Blockchain Association (UBIK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational blockchain industry association representing Croatian crypto and blockchain companies. Part of EEI's European network of national blockchain associations.
• CryptoCanalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlockchain ecosystem hub and community organization. Listed as a partner in EEI's collaborative network supporting blockchain education and advocacy.
• DeFi Education FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization focused on DeFi advocacy and education. Works with EEI on regulatory responses and policy positions affecting decentralized finance.
• German Blockchain Association (Bundesblock)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman national blockchain industry association representing the largest EU economy's blockchain sector. Key partner in EEI's European regulatory advocacy network.
• MAMA (MetaPool Advocates)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-driven organization focused on Ethereum staking and liquid democracy. Listed as a partner in EEI's ecosystem network.
• New Economy InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThink tank focused on new economic models and decentralized systems. Supports EEI's research and advocacy on blockchain-based economic frameworks.
• Supercluster Excellent 3minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlockchain ecosystem support organization. Listed as a partner in EEI's collaborative network.
• Nordic Blockchain AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional association representing blockchain industry interests in Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden). Key partner in EEI's pan-European advocacy network.
• FleishmanHillardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational public relations and communications consultancy. Provides communications support for EEI's advocacy and policy engagement efforts.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Coin Center: U.S.-based non-profit crypto policy research and advocacy organization. Direct peer to EEI in function (policy research, regulatory comments, education of lawmakers) but focused on U.S. federal and state policymakers rather than EU institutions.
• Global Digital Finance: Industry body promoting the adoption of digital assets, including standards and policy advocacy across multiple jurisdictions. Direct peer to EEI in function and operating model, with comparable engagement of EU and UK regulators on digital asset frameworks.
• DeFi Education Fund: U.S.-based non-profit focused on DeFi policy education and advocacy. Direct peer (and listed partner) of EEI: both publish regulatory commentary, file comment letters, and educate policymakers on decentralized finance; DeFi Education Fund is U.S.-centric while EEI is EU-centric.
• Chamber of Digital Commerce: Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing the digital asset and blockchain industry. Direct peer to EEI: both are membership-supported advocacy bodies focused on shaping digital asset regulation, though Chamber of Digital Commerce primarily targets U.S. policymakers.
• Blockchain Association: U.S. crypto industry trade association advocating for pro-innovation digital asset policy. Direct peer to EEI in mission and operating model (industry-funded advocacy submitting comments to regulators), but serving a U.S. rather than EU audience.
• Crypto Council for Innovation: Global alliance of crypto industry participants promoting sensible regulation worldwide. Direct peer to EEI in cross-jurisdictional policy advocacy, but with a global rather than EU-centric mandate and a more corporate-member orientation.
• Digital Euro Association: Frankfurt-based think tank and advocacy network focused on digital money, tokenization, and DLT regulation in Europe. Direct peer to EEI in mission and operating geography, with comparable emphasis on education, policy papers, and engagement with EU and German regulators.
• CryptoUK: UK-based self-regulatory trade association for the cryptoasset industry engaging HM Treasury, FCA, and Bank of England. Direct peer to EEI given overlapping subject matter (UK crypto regulation), though CryptoUK is UK-focused and EEI has begun engaging UK regulators as well.
• Blockchain for Europe: Brussels-based industry association representing blockchain and crypto firms in EU policy discussions. Direct peer to EEI: both operate as EU-focused crypto advocacy bodies engaging the European Commission and Parliament, though Blockchain for Europe spans a broader (less decentralization-focused) membership.

Regional players

• ADAN (Association pour le Développement des Actifs Numériques): French crypto industry association representing French crypto sector interests. Regional peer to EEI: both advocate on EU regulation, but ADAN's primary audience is French national authorities and French-based CASPs, whereas EEI's mandate is pan-EU with a focus on decentralized use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EuCInitiative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-crypto-initiative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Crypto Initiative