The European Blockchain Sandbox: A Beautiful Showcase of 20 Innovative Blockchain Projects where INO shines as a GovTech Star from Estonia.
The European Blockchain Sandbox revealed the chosen projects for the first cohort. INO was one of the chosen!
The Overview of the Sandbox
The European Blockchain Sandbox revealed the chosen projects for the first cohort on the 6th of September 2023. This Sandbox is a project of the European Commission that aims to foster communication between regulators and innovators for blockchain use cases in various industry sectors and geographic regions.
The Sandbox offers a secure and private environment where legal counsel and regulatory guidance can be given to selected blockchain projects that face regulatory challenges or uncertainties. We are delighted to share how influential this research and trial is. These activities at a higher level demonstrate to the mainstream who are not yet familiar with the web3 approach that the future is here, and we can say INO is confidently shaping the future to be better and faster.
The Sandbox will welcome three cohorts of 20 blockchain projects annually until 2025. The projects will be paired with suitable national and EU regulators and authorities for a positive and cooperative dialogue. The results of these dialogues will be released as best practices reports that will help the broader EU/EEA blockchain community and pave the way in certain jurisdictions to assist them in becoming a leader in a specific field.
The sandbox announced its first cohort of diverse and impactful blockchain projects from across the EU/EEA, and you can easily investigate more from here.
Strong Cross-border collaboration
INO MTÜ is amongst others with its very intriguing purpose: coming from so-called e-Estonia as Estonia is well known as a digital country first, our project focuses shortly on the organizational sector. INO is spearheading the effort to deliver DAO solutions and elevate legal awareness to the mainstream, mitigating risks of DAO concept misuse.
INO acknowledges the critical challenges in the DAO arena, encompassing members' liability, KYC challenges, taxation, and legal recognition. The ultimate aim is to use blockchain technology to establish a standard and best practices for Internet Native Organizations (INOs), which are a novel form of distributed and code-driven organizations that can function in the future beyond borders and sectors. Our project also explores the technically feasible solution for enrolling INOs in the business register.
But INO is, of course, not the only star in this cohort.
One of our favorite projects in the list is the only public sector project EBSI Verifiable Credentials use case called EBSI-VECTOR. It is based on the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), a network of distributed nodes across Europe that provides blockchain-based services for public administrations and citizens.
The project aims to demonstrate how verifiable credentials, such as diplomas, certificates, or identity documents, can be issued, stored, and verified in a secure and interoperable way using EBSI. For a better understanding how this use case could save thousands of work hours of EU citizens and officials in every jurisdiction, I will explain more: you can possibly use your digital wallet in the future to share verifiable credentials based on the EBSI standard with a potential employer, with a bank, or with any other official institution in another country where the next person needs to verify your identity, legal status, financial history, education with all certificates, and work experience by checking the EBSI blockchain, without intermediaries or third parties. Imagine how much this project empowers the united feeling of the EU, which may not be there today!
What is the next step from there, you might ask? 😊
Now comes the concept of Internet Native Organizations.
If we have cross-border mobility and cooperation in times when you could easily work remotely, it is time to empower Internet Native Organizations as well. So, after reading this article, you can read more about our INO concept. 😉
Of course, another of our favorites is related to DAOs and web3 ecosystem building: DeltaDAO AG launches Pontus-X, a blockchain-based digital ecosystem for Gaia-X, the European data infrastructure initiative. Pontus-X enables data sharing, computation, and monetization across domains while ensuring data sovereignty, privacy, and IP protection. The solution integrates advanced technologies such as Compute-to-Data, NFTs, smart contracts, and the EU-regulated stablecoin EUROe, to create a secure, transparent, and competitive Web3 ecosystem for Europe.
But let’s now give the stage for all the stars to shine.
INO is elated to be on the same stage with all these innovational and impactful projects that address some of the most relevant and pressing challenges and opportunities in the EU/EEA. Please dig more on the Sandbox page, but we will give you a clear overview of the first cohort here.
In alphabetical order by the Initiators:
| Nr | Sector / Field | Initiator/s | Product Name | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private & public / Logistics | Accudire | Accudire | Accudire is a pilot of a fully digital shipment using blockchain technology, conducted by platform that simplifies and speeds up export processes and logistics documentation. The pilot involves various public and private actors from Italy, and demonstrates the benefits of digitisation, interoperability, and security in the transport of goods across Europe. |
| 2 | Private / Legal Tech | Almaviva | Giotto OnChain Notarization SaaS | Almaviva project Giotto OnChain Notarization SaaS is a service that uses blockchain and other technologies to certify the authenticity, immutability, and integrity of any digital asset. It allows users to verify the existence, originality, and ownership of files, documents, and creative works, as well as the compliance and transparency of administrative processes and workflows. The service is compatible with various blockchain platforms, including the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI), and produces interoperable receipts that can be verified independently without relying on the service provider. |
| 3 | Private / Music Industry | Anotherblock | Anotherblock | Anotherblock platform that allows creators and consumers to buy and sell music rights using blockchain technology, more precisely using tokens that have unique IDs and legal contracts. Consumers can invest in the songs they love and earn royalties from streaming. |
| 4 | Private / Legal Tech | Blockchain Italia | Dedit | Blockchain Italia is creating Dedit - a platform that uses blockchain to notarize, sign, store, and share documents. It supports different blockchains and languages, and offers features like encrypted storage, multiple signatures, and SPID integration. It aims to improve data certification and validation, comply with eIDAS regulation, and obtain Qualified Electronic Signature status. It also uses Hardware Security Module to secure user keys and simplify password recovery and signing. |
| 5 | Private / Cloud computing | Chunk Works | Qloud | Chunk Works is creating a Qloud - a platform that uses blockchain and post-quantum cryptography to store data securely and efficiently in the cloud. It splits data into chunks and adds redundant data to recover them if needed. It distributes data across different EU data centers to avoid single points of failure. It aims to provide a fast, easy, and reliable cloud storage service. |
| 6 | Private / Compliance | CoinFirm | CoinFirm | CoinFirm is improving the compliance and risk management of financial actors by providing a platform for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. They gather data from numerous on-chain, off-chain and shared intelligence data sources and collaborate with the old financial market as well as with the web3 FinTech sector. |
| 7 | Private / Green Tech | Commissariat à l'énergie atomique | Green Blockchain | Green Blockchain by Commissariat à l'énergie atomique uses a blockchain-based tool for collecting, processing and displaying CO2 concentrations from sensors deployed in urban areas. It uses low-energy technologies and smart contracts to notarize the data treatment and ensure its integrity. The anchoring allows the laboratories (or other third parties) to audit each other by reproducing the treatment process and checking data integrity against the hashes stored on the blockchain. The ultimate goal is to provide trust on the climatic data and its treatment to the public. |
| 8 | Private / Logistics - Construction | Compellio | Digital Product Passport | Compellio has developed a Digital Product Passport (DPP) solution that uses blockchain and other technologies to improve transparency and accountability in supply chains. The solution focuses on the construction sector, which has a large environmental and socio-economic impact, and plans to expand to other sectors such as manufacturing, agri-food, energy, and culture. |
| 9 | Private / Data Tech | DeltaDAO AG | Pontus-X | DeltaDAO AG launches Pontus-X, a blockchain-based digital ecosystem for Gaia-X, the European data infrastructure initiative. Pontus-X enables data sharing, computation, and monetization across domains, while ensuring data sovereignty, privacy, and IP-protection. The solution integrates advanced technologies such as Compute-to-Data, NFTs, smart contracts, and the EU-regulated stablecoin EUROe, to create a secure, transparent, and competitive Web3 ecosystem for Europe. |
| 10 | Private / Food Tech | Digital Scirocco | Scirocco Cloud | Digital Scirocco's project, Scirocco Cloud, is a platform that leverages blockchain and other technologies to improve food traceability and reduce waste. It enables stakeholders across the food supply chain to share and verify information in a secure and transparent manner. It also offers features like smart contracts, IoT integration, and data analytics to optimize supply chain operations and ensure food safety. |
| 11 | Public / Identity | European Commission | European Self-Sovereign Identity Framework (ESSIF) | The European Self-Sovereign Identity Framework (ESSIF) project by the European Commission aims to establish a common framework for self-sovereign identity (SSI) in Europe. It uses blockchain and other technologies to enable citizens, businesses, and public administrations to control and share their personal data without relying on centralized authorities. The project promotes interoperability, standardization, and adoption of SSI solutions in Europe, and is aligned with the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) initiative. |
| 12 | Private / Energy | FlexiDAO | RESpring | FlexiDAO's RESpring is a software platform that uses blockchain to trace and certify the origin of renewable energy in real-time. It enables energy retailers, corporations, and grid operators to prove the green origin of their electricity, comply with regulations, and differentiate their brand. The platform integrates with existing energy data systems, uses smart contracts to automate processes, and provides a user-friendly interface for monitoring and reporting. |
| 13 | Private / Supply Chain | IBM | Food Trust | IBM's Food Trust is a platform that uses blockchain to improve transparency, efficiency, and safety in food supply chains. It allows stakeholders across the supply chain to share and verify information in real-time, trace products from farm to fork, and ensure compliance with regulations. The platform also integrates with IoT devices, AI, and other technologies to provide advanced analytics, automate processes, and detect anomalies. |
| 14 | Private / Health Tech | Jointly | Jointly | Jointly offers a platform that uses blockchain to improve the traceability and safety of health products. It enables manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and patients to verify the authenticity, origin, and integrity of products, and prevent counterfeiting and tampering. The platform also offers features like smart contracts, IoT integration, and data analytics to optimize supply chain operations and ensure patient safety. |
| 15 | Private / Fintech | Kriptosare.gen | Safe2Pay | Kriptosare.gen's Safe2Pay is a payment solution that uses blockchain to ensure the security, transparency, and efficiency of transactions. It supports multiple cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, integrates with various payment gateways and banks, and offers features like multi-signature wallets, smart contracts, and P2P exchanges. The solution aims to reduce transaction costs, increase payment speed, and prevent fraud. |
| 16 | Private / Energy | Powerledger | Powerledger | Powerledger is a platform that uses blockchain to enable decentralized energy trading. It allows consumers to buy and sell surplus renewable energy in real-time, optimize grid operations, and reduce energy costs. The platform integrates with smart meters, IoT devices, and other technologies to monitor and control energy flows, and uses smart contracts to automate transactions and settlements. |
| 17 | Private / Legal Tech | Smart Certificate | Smart Certificate | Smart Certificate provides a solution that uses blockchain to digitize and verify certificates, diplomas, and other official documents. It ensures the authenticity, integrity, and immutability of documents, and prevents fraud, tampering, and counterfeiting. The solution also offers features like encrypted storage, P2P sharing, and digital signatures, and is compatible with various blockchain platforms and standards. |
| 18 | Private / Health Tech | Ubique | Ubique Chain of Things (UCOT) | Ubique Chain of Things (UCOT) is a platform that integrates blockchain and IoT to improve the traceability, safety, and efficiency of supply chains in the health sector. It monitors the conditions of products in real-time, ensures compliance with regulations, and provides end-to-end visibility to stakeholders. The platform also offers features like smart contracts, data analytics, and AI to optimize supply chain operations and ensure product quality. |
| 19 | Private / Fintech | XYZ Bank | XYZ Payment | XYZ Bank has developed XYZ Payment, a payment gateway that uses blockchain to enable fast, secure, and transparent cross-border transactions. It supports multiple currencies, integrates with various banks and financial institutions, and complies with international regulations. The gateway also offers features like multi-signature wallets, P2P exchanges, and smart contracts to optimize payment operations and reduce costs. |
| 20 | Public / e-Government | European Union | EU Chain | The European Union has initiated the EU Chain, a blockchain platform that aims to improve transparency, efficiency, and trust in public services. It enables member states to share and verify information in real-time, automate administrative processes, and ensure data security and privacy. The platform is aligned with the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) initiative and integrates with various e-Government systems and standards. |
This list of active blockchain use cases showcases blockchain technology's untapped potential, which is transforming various industry sectors and addressing societal challenges within the EU/EEA. It underscores the necessity for an open dialogue between regulators and innovators to guarantee legal certainty and compliance for forthcoming blockchain solutions.
We invite all industry sectors to explore how they can collaborate with existing projects, draw inspiration, and apply for the next Sandbox cohort in 2024. Additionally, we encourage you to consider how you could collaborate with the INO to make innovation happen.
We eagerly anticipate the results of the first cohort.