1. What Is EBSI?

1.1 Definition

EBSI (European Blockchain Services Infrastructure) is a regional public blockchain infrastructure launched by the European Union in 2018.

The initiative was developed and operated jointly by the European Commission and the European Blockchain Partnership (EBP) — a collaboration involving 27 EU member states plus Norway and Liechtenstein.

EBSI operates under a distributed network model, where each participating country can operate one or more nodes within the network.

These nodes connect through a peer-to-peer architecture without a central server, eliminating single points of failure and improving system resilience.

The consensus mechanism typically uses permissioned blockchain models such as Proof of Authority (PoA), ensuring:

• High performance

• Low energy consumption

• Efficient operation for government-scale systems

In the context of data becoming a strategic digital asset, EBSI is considered the world’s first regional “national-level” blockchain infrastructure, where multiple governments operate a shared blockchain network to serve public interests.

1.2 Why Did the EU Build EBSI?

The EU did not create EBSI merely as a technological experiment. It was designed to support long-term strategic objectives.

Standardizing Cross-Border Public Services

The European Union consists of 27 countries with different administrative systems and databases.

When citizens study, work, or do business in another EU country, verifying diplomas, certificates, or administrative records often becomes time-consuming and costly.

In 2018, the EU established the European Blockchain Partnership (EBP) to build a shared blockchain infrastructure.

EBSI emerged from this initiative to support cross-border public services, particularly in areas such as:

• European Digital Diplomas

• Trusted data sharing between governments

The EU needed a common technical infrastructure that could verify data across borders while preserving the autonomy of each member state.

EBSI provides a trust layer that allows digital public services to operate seamlessly across Europe.

Protecting Data Sovereignty and GDPR Compliance

Europe has one of the strictest data protection frameworks in the world, particularly under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

As data becomes a strategic asset, the EU aims to avoid complete reliance on technology platforms developed outside the region.

EBSI enables member states to operate a permissioned blockchain network within the EU’s legal framework, ensuring that sensitive data is governed under European standards and reinforcing the EU’s digital sovereignty strategy.

Supporting the European Digital Identity (eIDAS 2.0)

The EU is implementing the European Digital Identity Wallet under the eIDAS 2.0 regulatory framework.

This system will allow citizens to use digital identities across the entire EU.

To support this ecosystem, a technical infrastructure must:

• Record verifiable credentials

• Ensure data immutability

• Enable cross-border verification

Blockchain provides a mechanism for independently verifiable proofs, while the permissioned model ensures legal oversight and regulatory compliance.

EBSI is therefore designed to become the technical foundation for the EU’s cross-border digital identity ecosystem.

Building Trust Infrastructure for the Data Economy

In the digital economy, trust is a fundamental requirement.

Digital public services, administrative data sharing, and certificate verification all require an infrastructure that guarantees data integrity and transparency.

EBSI was designed as a regional trust infrastructure, where blockchain is not used primarily for digital asset transactions but instead serves as a verification layer for public data.

Positioning the EU in Global technology competition

In an increasingly competitive global technology landscape, the EU does not want to remain solely a consumer of technologies developed elsewhere.

By building EBSI, Europe gains control over:

• Blockchain architecture

• Governance frameworks

• Technical standards

EBSI is therefore not just a technology project but a strategic initiative to strengthen Europe’s digital infrastructure sovereignty.

2. How does EBSI work?

EBSI is designed as a permissioned blockchain infrastructure operating at the intergovernmental level.

Unlike public blockchains that allow anyone to participate in validation, EBSI restricts node operation to authorized entities, primarily government institutions of member states.

2.1 Technical Architecture of EBSI

According to the EU’s Digital Building Blocks documentation, EBSI follows a multi-layer architecture separating infrastructure from applications.

Base Blockchain Infrastructure

This foundational layer includes:

• A permissioned blockchain network

• A consensus mechanism designed for public-sector environments

• Nodes operated by EU member states

The permissioned model ensures clear governance over who can participate in operating the network and writing data to the ledger, aligning with EU regulatory requirements.

Core Services Layer

EBSI does not only provide blockchain infrastructure; it also includes shared services, such as:

• Decentralized Identity (DID) services

• Support for Verifiable Credentials

• APIs and developer integration tools

This approach allows EBSI to function as a complete digital infrastructure platform, not just a standalone blockchain network.

Use Cases Layer

On top of EBSI, the EU deploys several real-world use cases, including:

• European Digital Diplomas

• European Digital Identity

• Trusted data sharing between public institutions

• Electronic verification and certification services

These use cases were selected to support Europe’s digital single market and improve interoperability between member states.

Governance and Legal Framework

To ensure long-term sustainability and scalability, the EU established EUROPEUM-EDIC (European Digital Infrastructure Consortium).

This entity operates under EU law and coordinates the deployment and governance of EBSI at the intergovernmental level.

This governance model demonstrates that EBSI is not merely a technological initiative but is supported by a formal legal and institutional framework.

2.2 Is EBSI a Layer 1 Blockchain?

From a technical perspective, EBSI shares many characteristics of a Layer 1 blockchain.

It has:

• Its own node network operated by member states

• Independent transaction validation mechanisms

• A governance framework managed through intergovernmental cooperation

Services such as digital diploma verification and digital identity authentication run directly on this infrastructure.

However, EBSI differs significantly from public Layer 1 blockchains such as Ethereum.

First, EBSI was not designed for issuing digital assets or enabling decentralized finance. Instead, it focuses on data verification and public service infrastructure.

Second, EBSI prioritizes legal compliance and GDPR data protection. Personal data is typically not stored directly on-chain, but represented through cryptographic proofs.

Third, its decentralization model is intergovernmental rather than open to the global public.

Therefore, EBSI can be considered a Layer 1 blockchain designed for public-sector digital infrastructure, rather than a public crypto ecosystem.

3. The role of EBSI in Europe’s digital infrastructure

EBSI is designed as a core component of the EU’s long-term digital infrastructure architecture.

Its role can be understood through three key pillars:

• Digital identity

• Cross-border public services

• Data sovereignty

3.1 Digital identity and eIDAS 2.0

The EU is developing a unified digital identity system through eIDAS 2.0.

Under this framework, every EU citizen will be able to use a digital identity wallet to verify identity, diplomas, licenses, or legal documents when interacting with governments or businesses anywhere within the EU.

For this system to work effectively, it requires an infrastructure capable of providing independent verification and tamper-proof records.

EBSI acts as the verification layer for electronic credentials, storing cryptographic proofs of data integrity without exposing personal data directly on the blockchain.

This enables Europe to deploy digital identity systems that are both trustworthy and GDPR-compliant.

3.2 Cross-border public services

One of the biggest challenges in the European single market is the diversity of administrative systems across member states.

When citizens study, work, or start businesses in another country, verifying documents can require multiple intermediaries and long processing times.

EBSI simplifies this process by providing a shared verification infrastructure.

Digital diplomas, professional certificates, and administrative documents can be verified quickly through cryptographic proofs stored on the blockchain.

This reduces processing time, minimizes fraud risks, and increases trust between public institutions across the EU.

3.3 Protecting data sovereignty

As data becomes a strategic resource in the digital economy, the EU aims to strengthen technological autonomy.

Data sovereignty involves not only protecting personal information but also controlling how data is stored, shared, and verified.

EBSI is operated within the EU’s legal framework and managed by member states, ensuring that the blockchain infrastructure supporting public services does not rely on external platforms.

Through EBSI, the EU establishes a shared verification infrastructure where data can be exchanged through trusted technical mechanisms while remaining under EU legal oversight.

4. EBSI and the global trend of National Blockchain Infrastructure

The development of EBSI reflects a broader global trend: countries are increasingly building national or regional blockchain infrastructures, rather than relying solely on public networks.

According to reports by the OECD and the World Economic Forum, more than 80 countries have experimented with or implemented blockchain in the public sector, particularly in areas such as:

• Digital identity

• Supply chain traceability

• Administrative data management

Blockchain is gradually evolving from a digital asset technology into a verification layer for digital government services.

Outside the EU, several countries have adopted similar approaches.

China launched the Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN) in 2020 to provide a unified infrastructure for blockchain applications nationwide.

BSN aims to:

• Reduce deployment costs

• Standardize blockchain infrastructure

• Support government and enterprise applications on a shared network

In Vietnam, NDAChain is positioned as a national blockchain platform supporting digital identity and traceability systems within the country’s digital transformation strategy.

These developments illustrate a clear trend: blockchain is becoming a foundational component of national digital infrastructure, focused on data integrity, transparency, and economic development.

5. Lessons from the EU’s National Blockchain model

EBSI demonstrates that blockchain creates the most value when integrated into a long-term digital infrastructure strategy, with clear objectives such as digital identity and trusted data verification.

Rather than deploying blockchain broadly without focus, the EU prioritizes high-impact use cases with real demand and scalability potential.

Another key factor is centralized governance at the national or intergovernmental level, ensuring common standards and avoiding fragmentation.

Finally, the EU’s cautious approach to data, storing cryptographic proofs rather than personal data on-chain, shows how technological innovation can coexist with strict privacy protections.

EBSI represents a clear example of the emerging global trend toward national blockchain infrastructure.

As blockchain evolves into a data verification layer, the role of domestic platforms becomes increasingly important.

NDAChain is being developed as a foundational blockchain platform supporting Vietnam’s digital infrastructure.

Visit the NDAChain website to learn more about its architecture and real-world applications.