The third installment of the London Blockchain in Government Summit, held at the House of Lords, offered a critical deep dive into one of the most pressing issues surrounding blockchain adoption in the public sector: regulatory clarity. The overwhelming consensus among experts and policymakers in attendance was clear – without well-defined legal frameworks, blockchain technology risks either stagnating under uncertainty or being misused due to lack of oversight.
As governments explore how to implement blockchain-based solutions in areas such as identity management, voting systems, and public procurement, the need for solid regulatory infrastructure has never been greater. At the heart of the summit’s discussions was a shared understanding that blockchain regulation must move beyond reactionary approaches and instead become proactive, adaptive, and clear.
(From left to right: Tim Daley, Jennifer Ewing, Alex Stein, Rt Hon. Alun Cairns, Richard Baker, and Nikhil Vadgama)
Moderated by the Rt Hon. Alun Cairns, former Secretary of State for Wales and a leading advocate for technology legislation in Parliament, the session brought together an impressive range of experts in blockchain, digital assets, infrastructure, and public policy. Cairns emphasised that governments must create forward-looking frameworks that can evolve in tandem with the technology, rather than lag behind and scramble to catch up. According to Cairns, such foresight is key to fostering innovation while preserving public trust.
The panel examined key developments around the world that offer models for effective blockchain government regulation. Several panellists pointed to the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation as a pioneering effort to standardise digital asset laws across the continent. MiCA establishes clear definitions for digital assets, lays out rules for service providers, and provides much-needed compliance guidance – all of which contribute to a healthier and more trustworthy blockchain ecosystem.
The UK’s own initiatives, including the Property Bill, were also held up as encouraging examples. While still evolving, these regulatory steps aim to define ownership and transaction rights around tokenised property and other digital assets. Such clarity is a foundational element for any public institution looking to integrate blockchain into its service delivery models.
Jennifer Ewing, who leads Business Development for Blockchain.com’s institutional finance arm, reinforced the importance of regulatory certainty. She argued that without it, large-scale adoption of blockchain solutions – particularly within the financial and public sectors – is simply too risky. According to Ewing, clarity in blockchain regulation not only reduces risk but also invites responsible institutional players to participate more fully in shaping the ecosystem.
Academic and tech innovator Nikhil Vadgama, co-founder of Exponential Science and Director at UCL’s Centre for Blockchain Technologies, added that effective regulation creates the space necessary for emerging technologies to thrive. In his view, blockchain governance is most effective when it supports experimentation within clear boundaries, allowing new use cases to be tested without exposing governments or citizens to undue risk.
Richard Baker, CEO of Tokenovate, and Tim Daley, Director of Strategy and Transformation at Perago, both highlighted the importance of viewing regulation not as a constraint but as an enabler of innovation. For these industry leaders, financial and infrastructure regulations that are thoughtfully designed can unlock the full potential of blockchain to deliver transparent, efficient, and secure systems. They cautioned, however, that excessive bureaucracy or outdated rules could stifle this potential.
Beyond Europe and the UK, the panel also discussed progress in the United States, particularly around stablecoin regulation. Proposed legislation such as the GENIUS Act and the STABLE Act aim to introduce specific guardrails for the issuance and management of stablecoins. While these bills are still under debate, they represent an important shift in focus: from loosely defined policies to targeted regulatory instruments that acknowledge the complexities of blockchain-based financial tools.
Throughout the discussion, one point was repeatedly made: without regulatory foundations, blockchain governance will falter. Public institutions cannot adopt blockchain solutions if they lack guidance on how to comply with data protection laws, cybersecurity requirements, or financial standards. Developers, too, are left in limbo, unable to build confidently when legal uncertainties loom over their innovations.
Most importantly, citizens remain skeptical when they see governments deploying technology that lacks transparency, accountability, or legal safeguards. This is where blockchain government regulation proves critical. It empowers the public and private sectors alike to move forward confidently, knowing that innovation will be matched by responsibility.
As the summit concluded, panellists agreed that regulation is not about hindering progress – it’s about enabling secure, scalable, and trustworthy systems. Governments must adopt blockchain regulation that is both clear and adaptable, so it can accommodate future technological shifts while maintaining public oversight.
The key takeaway? As blockchain continues to evolve, so must regulation. By creating legal frameworks that are proactive, transparent, and technology-literate, governments can enable blockchain governance that delivers real public value – ensuring the digital infrastructure of tomorrow is built on a solid, trusted foundation today.
Those unable to attend this exclusive gathering need not worry—the dialogue is far from over. The conversation will resume at the London Blockchain Conference, scheduled for 22–23 October at Evolution London. Attendees interested in exploring the evolving role of blockchain and emerging technologies in public services and government are encouraged to join.
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