Datarella, a founding member of the European Blockchain Association, is thrilled that Dr. Clara Guerra, Deputy Director of the Office for Financial Market Innovation and Digitalisation (SFID) of the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein, will contribute her exemplary expertise to the EBA as its new board member. Effective January 1, 2023, Dr. Guerra has taken over the position of Kent Gärtner, who stepped down from the EBA board.

As a lawyer by training with a focus on high-tech and innovation, Dr. Guerra previously worked in the private sector and is active as a board member in higher education and Medtech. She lectures and regularly publishes emerging tech and other innovation topics from a governmental perspective. With her unique insight into one of the most crypto-friendly markets in Europe, and her experience with regulation and policy work in the DeFi and blockchain, digitalization, and technology education field, she is a perfect fit for the association and its goal to empower the European blockchain ecosystem.

Adding a unique European viewpoint

“We could not be happier about Clara’s decision to join our board. She has a wealth of expertise and brings fresh ideas, insights, and points of view to the continuing conversations taking place within the blockchain and cryptocurrency ecosystem. In the current era of the industry, when nuanced and pragmatic dialogue is needed more than ever before, her skills in regulation and policy will be extremely beneficial. We are looking forward to working together with the other members of the EBA board to advance our mission of enhancing and bolstering the capabilities of the European blockchain ecosystem”, says Dr. Michael Gebert, Chairman of the European Blockchain Association.

“With its semi-autonomous, decentralized operating model, the European Blockchain Association is quite different from other associations. Our goal is to provide a platform for people who want to make an impact.  Clara joining our board explicitly because she shares our vision and is willing to actively contribute to our various projects and working groups is a big win for the EBA and its members. We are thrilled to be working with her”, Datarella CEO Michael Reuter, Co-Chair of the European Blockchain Association, adds.

Policy and regulation – an EBA strong suit

After three years of building a base for the association, establishing working groups from Proof of Stake to SSI, Custody, Education, Tokenization, and NFT, and giving its members a voice in relevant industry discussions, in 2023 the European Blockchain Association will add a focus on regulatory and policy work. With the appointment of Erwin Voloder as Senior Policy Fellow last year and Dr. Clara Guerra as a new board member, the association is best equipped to contribute strong expertise to public discussions, regulatory bodies, and across European projects.

“Fostering innovation has always been my passion. Innovation is conventionally associated with strength. However, most of the time it is a rather fragile transition state that relies on enabling circumstances. Regulation is a key enabler for technological innovation, especially in the finance sector, and must be approached with deliberate consideration. I am very excited to join the European Blockchain Association. The active and very knowledgeable community, the pragmatic mindset, and the decentralized approach to achieving its goals are perfect frameworks for me. I am looking forward to collaborating with my fellow board members and the whole EBA community”, says Dr. Clara Guerra.

Kent Gärtner, who was a board member of the EBA since its inception is stepping down from his position for personal reasons. The board would like to thank him for his invaluable contributions in the start-up phase of the association.