# European AI and Blockchain Weekly Update
## European AI News
### Rise of the Chief AI Officer
A new report is highlighting a significant shift in corporate leadership structures across Europe. According to research conducted by Robert Half and Rigour Research, a majority of C-suite leaders in the UK and EU believe the role of a Chief AI Officer will become increasingly important over the next decade.
This growing recognition reflects the complex challenges that artificial intelligence presents to modern businesses. Companies are realizing they need dedicated leadership to effectively navigate both the risks and opportunities that AI technologies bring to their operations, strategy, and competitive positioning.
### EU AI Act in Action
The European Union's landmark AI Act continues to shape the regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence across the continent. The European Commission is actively seeking experts to join a new Scientific Panel that will advise the AI Office and conduct assessments of leading AI models.
A critical milestone approaches as the obligations for providers of General Purpose AI (GPAI) models are set to take effect on August 2, 2025. To help organizations prepare for compliance, the Commission recently published draft guidelines designed to clarify key provisions specifically for GPAI providers. This regulatory framework represents one of the world's most comprehensive attempts to govern AI development and deployment.
## European Blockchain and Zero-Knowledge News
### Bybit's MiCA-Compliant Offering
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has made a significant strategic move in the European market by launching a spot margin trading service with leverage up to 10x. What makes this development particularly noteworthy is that the service has been specifically designed to comply with the new Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
This launch demonstrates how major cryptocurrency platforms are adapting their offerings to work within Europe's newly established regulatory framework, while still providing advanced trading strategies for their users. The move positions Bybit as a leader in regulated crypto services within the European market.
### Zero-Knowledge Proofs for Age Verification
In the United Kingdom, which is preparing to implement mandatory online age verification requirements, blockchain company Concordium has launched an innovative mobile application that leverages zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) for anonymous age verification.
The technology represents a potential breakthrough in privacy-preserving verification systems. Users can confirm their age without revealing any additional personal data, directly addressing privacy concerns that have surrounded the upcoming age verification legislation. This approach could serve as a model for other jurisdictions grappling with similar regulatory challenges.
### Debate on ZKP Practicality
However, the practical implementation of zero-knowledge proofs for age verification is facing scrutiny from the security research community. A recent paper by respected security researcher Steve Bellovin argues that "privacy-preserving" age verification may not be as practical in reality as proponents suggest.
Bellovin outlines several challenges he considers "insurmountable obstacles" to true privacy preservation in age verification systems. His concerns include the fundamental issue that identity providers remain single points of data collection, and that regulated systems would likely require these providers to retain verification data even if it's not directly shared with other parties.
This ongoing debate highlights the complex tension between privacy protection and regulatory compliance in digital verification systems, a discussion that will likely intensify as more jurisdictions implement age verification requirements.
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# European AI and Blockchain News
## European AI News
### Czechia Moves to Build an "AI Gigafactory"
Czechia is taking significant steps to create a large-scale computing center for training and deploying AI models, as part of the EU's ambitious "AI Gigafactory" initiative. This project aims to create a new generation of data centers with massive AI-specific processing power, with five such factories planned across the European Union.
The Czech government is establishing a Coordination Council to develop the comprehensive plan, with the goal of connecting local scientists, companies, and startups to the wider European AI ecosystem. This initiative represents a major investment in Europe's AI infrastructure and competitiveness.
### EU AI Act Takes a New Step
The European Commission is actively seeking experts to join a new Scientific Panel that will advise the AI Office and assess leading AI models. This panel represents a key component of the EU AI Act's implementation, which is designed to address the risks posed by artificial intelligence and establish a robust framework for its use across Europe.
The formation of this expert panel marks a crucial milestone in Europe's approach to AI governance and regulation.
### **Bybit EU Launches Spot Margin Trading**
Bybit's European arm, Bybit EU, has introduced spot margin trading with up to 10x leverage for its clients. The new service is designed to be fully compliant with Europe's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) and includes built-in risk controls to protect traders.
This strategic move positions Bybit EU as a forward-looking exchange in the regulated European crypto market, demonstrating how major platforms are adapting to the continent's evolving regulatory landscape.
### One Trading Launches Regulated XRP Futures
One Trading, a European exchange, has launched the first-ever regulated XRP/EUR perpetual futures contract in Europe. This groundbreaking product allows both institutional and retail traders to take leveraged positions on XRP against the euro under a compliant regulatory framework.
The launch further expands the regulated crypto derivatives market in the EU, providing traders with more sophisticated tools while maintaining regulatory compliance.
## European Blockchain & Zero-Knowledge News
### **Amsterdam Launches Regulated Bitcoin Treasury**
Amdax, a Dutch firm, has announced the launch of the Amsterdam Bitcoin Treasury Strategy (AMBTS), a company that will list on Euronext Amsterdam. The ambitious initiative aims to accumulate 1% of the total Bitcoin supply over time by attracting institutional capital through a regulated and transparent framework.
This positions Amsterdam as a significant hub for large-scale Bitcoin investments in Europe, potentially setting a precedent for other European cities looking to embrace cryptocurrency at an institutional level.
### GoodWares Uses Blockchain for E-Commerce
Dutch startup GoodWares has launched an innovative collaborative ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platform specifically designed for small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses. The platform leverages a combination of Hyperledger Fabric, an enterprise knowledge graph, and artificial intelligence to help small retailers compete with large corporations.
The solution enables secure collaboration, shared logistics, and data-driven decision making. The use of a private, permissioned blockchain allows businesses to work together seamlessly without compromising their sensitive data, creating new opportunities for smaller players in the e-commerce space.
### Zero-Knowledge Proof Research in Europe
The LightSEC 2025 conference in Istanbul is highlighting cutting-edge research on lightweight security, with a specific focus on zero-knowledge proofs. A specialized workshop supported by enCRYPTON, an EU-funded project, will focus on the secure and efficient implementation of advanced cryptographic schemes, including ZKPs.
This demonstrates the continued European interest in and substantial funding for privacy-preserving technologies, positioning the continent as a leader in cryptographic research and development.
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