In our tribune, ‘By imposing a rigid interpretation of the GDPR, Europe is renouncing the promise of blockchain,’ we respond to the EDPB's Guidelines 02/2025 on the application of the GDPR to blockchains.

While reaffirming our commitment to personal data protection, we express serious concern that the requirements set out in the text — prohibition of on-chain data, strict erasure obligation, extended liability in decentralised networks, systematic treatment as international transfers — risk rendering many blockchain projects in Europe ineffective, even when they are designed to enhance transparency, security and the protection of rights.

If applied without nuance, this interpretation would jeopardise fundamental use cases such as decentralised identity, traceability, integrity certification and open finance. Above all, it would threaten the balance between technological innovation and the protection of individual freedoms that the GDPR seeks to guarantee.

In this opinion piece, Adan calls for a more pragmatic application based on real risks, as well as recognition of the tools already mobilised by Web3 players to protect data. Blockchain, far from being incompatible with European requirements, can be a lever for rights.