European Blockchain Convention Returns to Barcelona for Europe’s First Post-MiCA Gathering

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-07-14Last updated on 2026-07-14

Abstract

The 12th European Blockchain Convention (EBC12) will take place in Barcelona on September 16-17, 2026, marking Europe's first major institutional gathering since the EU's MiCA regulation came fully into force. The event serves as a key commercial hub for the region's digital asset market, bringing together over 300 speakers from institutions like J.P. Morgan, the FCA, Coinbase, and Fidelity International to discuss the post-MiCA landscape, including CASP licensing, stablecoins, and CBDCs. With over 5,000 attendees expected, EBC12 will focus on institutional capital allocation, tokenization, and market structure, reflecting the industry's shift from debate to execution.

EBC12 brings together speakers from J.P. Morgan, the Financial Conduct Authority, Invesco, Coinbase, Fidelity International, and more than 300 leaders from the banks, regulators, and asset managers shaping Europe’s digital asset market.

Eleven weeks after the European Union’s MiCA deadline, the 12th edition of the European Blockchain Convention (EBC12) returns to Barcelona at a pivotal moment for the industry. It is the region’s first major institutional gathering since the world’s first comprehensive cross-border digital asset regulation became fully law, and the event where European deal flow happens.

MiCA is now fully in force. For European markets, the focus shifts to what comes next: CASP licensing, stablecoin issuance, and the role of CBDCs in cross-border settlement. EBC12 is where that conversation takes place.

Rather than chasing mandates city by city across London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Barcelona, EBC12 compresses the European digital asset market into a single two-day commercial arena. It takes place on 16–17 September 2026 at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya.

Europe has set the pace for compliant digital asset markets, giving the industry a clearer framework for how crypto can scale within regulation rather than around it. The institutional signal is unmistakable: Deutsche Börse has invested $200 million in Kraken; Santander’s digital bank, Openbank, has expanded its crypto trading for customers across Germany and Spain. Both will be among the institutions discussing what comes next in Barcelona this September.

EBC expects 80 of Europe’s top 100 banks in Barcelona this September, up from 50 last year. The debate about whether institutions will enter digital assets is over. EBC12 is where they come to work out what comes next.

“Eight years ago, we built EBC because we believed Europe would be where this industry matured. A lot of people thought we were early. In 2026, European banks are deploying capital, institutional products are live across major markets, and the regulatory framework is in place. EBC is where the people driving that change meet once a year to do real business,” said Victoria Gago, Co-CEO of European Blockchain Convention and Digital Assets Forum.

Sessions cover institutional capital allocation, real-world asset tokenisation, regulatory market structure, and the future of stablecoins and CBDCs as global settlement infrastructure.

Confirmed speakers include Emma Landriault, Head of Kinexys Labs at J.P. Morgan; Mohamad Zaraket, Head of Digital Assets Strategy EMEA at BNY; Kathleen Wrynn, Global Head of DA, Invesco; Victor Jung, Vice President, Digital Assets & Currencies, Hamilton Lane; Previn Singh from Fidelity and Colin Payne, Head of Innovation at the Financial Conduct Authority, among more than 300 speakers from across banking, asset management, infrastructure, and policy.

Alongside the main programme, EBC12 features 10,000 pre-arranged one-to-one meetings, a Buy Side Breakfast for allocators and institutional investors, and a dedicated press room with direct access to speakers.

EBC12 expects over 5,000 attendees from 90+ countries for two days of market intelligence, strategic networking, and commercial momentum at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, a new premium venue reflecting the event’s institutional evolution.

— ENDS —

  • Event: European Blockchain Convention 12 (EBC12)
  • Dates: 16–17 September 2026
  • Venue: Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
  • Website: eblockchainconvention.com
  • Press enquiries: ebc@yapglobal.com or samvidha@yapglobal.com
  • Social: LinkedIn

About European Blockchain Convention:

Founded in 2018, the European Blockchain Convention has grown into a key driver of European deal flow in digital assets, bringing together banks, asset managers, regulators, infrastructure providers, and builders annually. Alongside EBC, the Digital Assets Forum series extends this reach across London, Abu Dhabi, and New York throughout the year.

Disclaimer: TheNewsCrypto does not endorse any content on this page. The content depicted in this Press Release does not represent any investment advice. TheNewsCrypto recommends our readers to make decisions based on their own research. TheNewsCrypto is not accountable for any damage or loss related to content, products, or services stated in this Press Release.

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Related Questions

QWhat is the primary significance of EBC12 in relation to the European digital asset market and MiCA?

AEBC12 is Europe's first major institutional gathering since the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation became fully law, marking a pivotal moment where industry leaders convene to discuss the implementation and next steps for compliant digital asset markets.

QAccording to the article, what are the key practical topics for the European market following the full implementation of MiCA?

AThe focus shifts to practical implementation, including CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) licensing, stablecoin issuance, and the role of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) in cross-border settlement.

QWhat evidence does the article provide to show that institutional adoption of digital assets in Europe is accelerating?

AThe article cites several examples: Deutsche Börse's $200 million investment in Kraken, Santander's Openbank expanding crypto trading in Germany and Spain, and an increase in expected attendance from 50 to 80 of Europe's top 100 banks at EBC12 compared to the previous year.

QBeyond the main conference sessions, what specific networking and business features does EBC12 offer to attendees?

AEBC12 features 10,000 pre-arranged one-to-one meetings, a Buy Side Breakfast for allocators and institutional investors, and a dedicated press room with direct access to speakers.

QWhat is the stated purpose and evolution of the European Blockchain Convention since its founding, as explained by Co-CEO Victoria Gago?

AFounded in 2018 with the belief that Europe would be where the digital asset industry matured, EBC has evolved into an annual event where the people driving change in a now-established regulatory framework meet to conduct real business and shape the market's future.

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