Christian Grafenauer

• Project Leader - Guidelines on processing PII using blockchain and distributed ledger technology

Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies

Yes, my contribution significantly impacts European SMEs by providing clear, practical guidance on how to process personal data using blockchain and DLT in compliance with the GDPR. SMEs often lack the legal and technical resources to navigate complex regulatory frameworks. The standard developed through CEN/CENELEC JTC 19 WG3 will offer accessible best practices, reducing legal uncertainty and lowering barriers to innovation. This enables SMEs to adopt blockchain solutions more confidently, competitively, and responsibly within the European market.

My work directly supports the protection of fundamental rights, especially privacy and data protection, in the context of emerging blockchain and DLT technologies. By initiating the standard on Guidelines on processing PII using blockchain and DLT, I contribute to reducing legal uncertainty, enabling safer adoption of these technologies. This empowers citizens by ensuring their personal data is handled responsibly and in compliance with GDPR, while fostering trust and transparency in digital systems. Ultimately, this promotes responsible innovation and strengthens democratic values in the digital age.

• Project Leader for "Digital Currencies - Vocabulary" in ISO TC68

FinTech & RegTech Standardisation

For SMEs, a harmonised digital currency vocabulary reduces compliance costs and uncertainty when navigating regulations like MiCA and DORA. It lowers barriers to entry by providing a shared reference for financial, legal, and technical terms, enabling smaller companies and fintechs to innovate confidently and scale solutions across the Digital Single Market.

By developing a harmonised vocabulary for digital currencies, it strengthens legal certainty and consumer protection, allowing citizens and businesses to engage confidently with technologies such as CBDCs, stablecoins, and tokenised assets. Clear definitions reduce misunderstanding and misinformation, supporting informed participation in digital markets. It also enhances trust in digital public infrastructures by enabling regulators, financial institutions, and public administrations to use a shared language. This improves transparency in policymaking and aligns digital finance with Europe’s values of privacy, fairness, and accountability. Finally, today’s Web3 ecosystem and traditional financial system speak fundamentally different languages, limiting cooperation and interoperability. This project builds the common language needed for both ecosystems to grow together and operate seamlessly, fostering a unified, transparent, and future-ready European digital economy.