Ripple Forms ‘Blockchain For Europe’ Association

Ripple, the blockchain company that owns XRP, the digital currency, has joined forces with NEM, Fetch.AI, and EMURGO/Cardano to create a new association that represents the interest of blockchain and cryptocurrency business in Europe.

According to a report in The Next Web, the group, dubbed Blockchain for Europe, says its the first unified voice for the industry in Europe. The group is focused on growing the understanding of the technology and highlighting the “true nature” and potential of blockchain technology, reported The Next Web. “Ripple is delighted to be a founding member of Blockchain for Europe,” said Ripple Head of Regulatory Relations Dan Morgan in the report. “This is a critical time for policymakers in Europe as they seek to develop the right regulatory framework to capture the benefits of both digital assets and blockchain technology.”

Part of the agenda will focus on ensuring the European Union and member states create regulation that will stimulate the growth of blockchain across the bloc. “There is a lack of unbiased information especially when it comes to the open and decentralised [sic] application of the technology,” added NEM Co-Founder Kristof Van de Reck in the report. “We aim to provide insights which are not tailored to the agenda of specific organisations or stakeholders.”

Late last month the new group hosted a Blockchain for Europe Summit which include four of the biggest European Parliament groups. The summit drew global blockchain players who discussed the role the technology can have in transportation, healthcare, governance and other use cases. Speakers at the event focused on the benefits of blockchain technology for companies and lawmakers.

The group behind Blockchain for Europe isn’t the only player eyeing the technology. Late last month Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced it was rolling out two new solutions designed to enhance the transparency of corporate transactions for companies that have full audit requirements. AWS is launching Amazon Quantum Ledger Database, as well as Amazon Managed Blockchain — solutions that Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy said are “something that a lot of companies need.”