International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications

Introduction

International Association for Trusted Blockchain Applications (INATBA) is a Brussels-based global association for blockchain and distributed ledger technology stakeholders. Launched in 2019 with support from the European Commission, it provides a forum for developers, users, policymakers, regulators, standard setters, civil society and academic participants to discuss trusted blockchain adoption. INATBA’s work focuses on policy dialogue, standards, privacy, identity, finance, education, sustainability and responsible DLT deployment.

What is INATBA and who does it represent

INATBA brings together organisations involved in blockchain and distributed ledger technology. Its community includes startups, SMEs, corporates, technology providers, blockchain foundations, financial institutions, academic organisations, civil society groups, standards bodies and policy-facing ecosystem participants.

The association does not represent regulators in the same way it represents industry members. Instead, it provides a structured forum where public and private-sector stakeholders can discuss regulatory, technical and adoption barriers to blockchain applications.

Mission and advocacy focus

INATBA’s mission is to support trusted blockchain and DLT applications by encouraging dialogue between industry, policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders. It works to help blockchain technology move from experimentation toward responsible adoption across sectors.

Its advocacy and ecosystem work is especially relevant where blockchain intersects with financial services, digital identity, privacy, sustainability, public-sector applications, education, technical standards, tokenisation, stablecoins, digital assets and decentralised infrastructure. The association’s focus is not only crypto markets, but the broader use of DLT in trusted business and public-sector environments.

Policy domains

• Blockchain and DLT policy — Engagement on regulatory frameworks that affect trusted blockchain applications across sectors.
• Finance and digital assets — Relevance for tokenisation, stablecoins, blockchain settlement, digital asset infrastructure and DLT-based financial services.
• Digital identity — Work connected to identity infrastructure, verifiable credentials, trust frameworks and user control.
• Privacy and data governance — Discussion of privacy-preserving blockchain applications, data protection and responsible use of distributed systems.
• Standards and interoperability — Support for technical alignment, standardisation and interoperability across blockchain networks and applications.
• Education and skills — Activity focused on blockchain education, literacy, professional capability and academic engagement.
• Social impact and sustainability — Work on blockchain applications connected to social good, climate, ESG and sustainable development.

Geographic scope and cross-border reach

INATBA is based in Brussels but operates as a global association. Its work is especially relevant to organisations tracking European blockchain policy, but its membership and stakeholder engagement extend beyond Europe.

The association should not be described as a licensing or market-entry support body. Its cross-border value comes from policy visibility, working groups, ecosystem connections, standards discussions and public-private dialogue around blockchain adoption.

Why INATBA matters for payments operators

INATBA matters for PSPs, crypto payment firms, stablecoin companies, wallet providers, payment infrastructure firms, digital identity providers and fintechs exploring blockchain-based financial services. Its work can help payment operators track policy and standards discussions around DLT, digital assets, privacy, identity and interoperability.

For payment operators, INATBA is especially relevant where payments intersect with tokenised money, stablecoins, blockchain settlement, digital euro and CBDC discussions, digital identity, privacy-preserving compliance, decentralised infrastructure and cross-border interoperability. It is less relevant for conventional card acquiring or merchant payment acceptance unless those businesses are exploring DLT-based products.

The teams most likely to follow INATBA include policy, legal, compliance, product, innovation, blockchain strategy, digital assets, identity, privacy, partnerships and senior leadership teams.

Who runs INATBA and who are the members

INATBA operates as an international non-profit association under Belgian law. Its governance includes member participation, leadership structures, working groups, committees, initiatives and events.

Its membership is best understood by role in the blockchain ecosystem rather than by a fixed list of named companies. Public membership lists can change, so category-based description is safer for a catalogue entry.

Members and participant categories

Working groups and committees

INATBA organises member activity through working groups and committees. Current public working group themes include Finance, Identity, Privacy, Education, Social Impact and Sustainability, and Standards Committee.

These groups give members a way to contribute expertise, develop positions, discuss regulatory and technical barriers, and produce outputs relevant to blockchain adoption.

What does INATBA publish and who does it influence

Policy and regulatory engagement

INATBA engages with policymakers, regulators, standard-setting bodies and industry stakeholders on blockchain and DLT policy. Its Brussels base makes it particularly relevant to EU-level discussions, but its work also has global relevance for organisations tracking blockchain regulation and standards.

Its influence is strongest where blockchain stakeholders need a shared forum for public-private dialogue, policy input, standards alignment and responsible technology adoption.

Publications and ecosystem resources

INATBA publishes reports, policy papers, working group outputs, consultation responses, event materials and ecosystem updates. These resources help members and external stakeholders understand developments in blockchain policy, digital assets, identity, privacy, standards, education and sustainability.

For payment operators, useful themes include stablecoins, tokenisation, digital asset regulation, DLT infrastructure, privacy, identity, CBDC-related discussion and interoperability.

Events and convenings

INATBA organises and supports events and initiatives that bring together blockchain companies, policymakers, regulators, academics, civil society and technology stakeholders. Public initiatives include Convergence, Blockchain Horizons, INATBA Awards and INATBA Digital Blockchain Week.

These convenings are useful for companies seeking policy visibility, ecosystem connections and insight into blockchain adoption across financial and non-financial sectors.

How to join INATBA

Organisations can engage with INATBA through its membership process. The strongest fit is for legal entities involved in blockchain, distributed ledger technology, digital assets, identity, privacy, finance, education, sustainability or related technology and policy areas.

Prospective members should review INATBA’s membership information, identify the relevant category and contact the association to confirm eligibility, fees, benefits and working group access.

Membership routes and fees

INATBA provides membership routes for organisations in the blockchain ecosystem, including startups, SMEs, corporates, academic institutions and other legal entities. Individuals are generally not the primary membership unit.

Publicly available materials do not present a simple universal fee table that should be copied into a catalogue entry. Fees and benefits may vary by member type, size and participation route, so organisations should confirm current terms directly with INATBA.

What members commit to

Members typically participate in working groups, policy discussions, ecosystem initiatives, events and standards activity. Participation may involve sharing expertise, contributing to consultation responses, helping shape working group outputs and supporting trusted blockchain adoption.

FAQ

Is INATBA an EU organisation?

INATBA is based in Brussels and was launched with support from the European Commission, so it is strongly connected to the European blockchain policy ecosystem. However, it operates as a global association and includes stakeholders from beyond the EU.

Is INATBA only about cryptocurrency?

No. INATBA covers blockchain and distributed ledger technology more broadly than cryptocurrency. Its work includes digital identity, privacy, education, sustainability, standards, finance, public-sector use cases, enterprise blockchain and trusted DLT applications.

Why is INATBA relevant to payment companies?

INATBA is relevant to payment companies exploring blockchain-based services such as stablecoins, tokenised settlement, digital asset infrastructure, digital identity and privacy-preserving compliance. It is less directly relevant to PSPs focused only on conventional card or bank payment processing.

Does INATBA set binding technical standards?

INATBA contributes to standards discussions and has a Standards Committee, but it does not impose binding standards like a regulator or formal international standards organisation. Its role is to support alignment, dialogue and industry input around interoperability and trusted blockchain applications.

Can individuals join INATBA?

INATBA is primarily structured for legal entities rather than individual professionals. Organisations such as startups, SMEs, corporates, academic institutions and ecosystem bodies should confirm current membership categories directly with the association.

What are INATBA’s working groups?

INATBA’s public working group themes include Finance, Identity, Privacy, Education, Social Impact and Sustainability, and Standards Committee. These groups allow members to collaborate on specific policy, technical and ecosystem topics.

Does INATBA help with blockchain regulation?

INATBA does not provide legal or licensing advice, but it gives members a forum to follow and contribute to blockchain policy discussions. This can help companies understand regulatory trends and participate in public-private dialogue around trusted DLT adoption.