Aleph Zero has joined a major think tank working on stablecoins and CBDCs, to help shape the future of digital currencies in Europe and beyond. Here’s what we’ll be working on!

We’re proud to announce that Aleph Zero is joining forces with the Digital Euro Association (DEA). Based in Frankfurt, Germany, the DEA is a think tank that specializes in stablecoins, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), crypto assets, and other forms of digital money. Most importantly, the DEA focuses on guiding the development of the private and public digital Euro.

The DEA recognized Aleph Zero’s expertise in developing advanced blockchain solutions, which perfectly aligns with its vision for shaping the future of digital money. The association also noted that Aleph Zero’s technology offers significant potential in enhancing the way digital currencies and blockchain technology integrate, are used, and understood. Through this collaboration, a dynamic exchange of knowledge and ideas can take place – contributing to the evolving landscape of digital money.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Aleph Zero Foundation into our network. Their significant contributions to blockchain technology fundamentally enhance the technical expertise within our community. This collaboration is another noteworthy step towards our goal of shaping the future of digital money with a focus on enhanced security, privacy and efficiency. Their commitment to a privacy-first approach aligns closely with our values and establishes them as an ideal partner.” 

Dr. Jonas Gross, DEA Chairman

The future of the private and public digital euro – advocating for privacy-preserving stablecoins

In its collaboration with EU regulators, however, as a separate entity, the DEA’s primary focus is on how euro stablecoins will fit into the landscape of digital money – and how private stablecoins could ideally interact with public CBDCs. 

In line with Aleph Zero’s vision, the DEA is a strong advocate for privacy-preserving stablecoin options – and in one of its most prominent whitepapers to date, it noted that “to garner greater stablecoin use in the future, privacy-preserving stablecoins might be beneficial. These stablecoins would enable privacy that is controlled by users, with no back doors, and not being dependent on a central bank promise to keep data private, like several CBDC options suggest.”

While similar to Aleph Zero, the DEA is also a strong proponent of ensuring regulatory compliance, stating that “as much as stablecoins should provide as much as possible physical cash-like privacy and anonymity, they should address tax and regulatory issues and constraints, including anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) without disclosing any transaction details to third parties, including the government, unless there is a court order.”

Joining the DEA in focusing on the development of the digital euro

Boasting members like Ripple, Circle, and RTGS.global, the organization is committed to independence in aggregating and amplifying the views of society, along with furthering the public good through knowledge exchange, and encouraging new ideas in the field of digital money. 

In joining forces with the DEA, Aleph Zero will play a major role in driving stablecoin and CBDC development that aligns with our vision for solutions that ensure user privacy and protection. This partnership also comes on the heels of the upcoming Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA framework), which is intended to streamline distributed ledger technology cryptocurrency regulation while keeping users safe. Core team members also regularly contribute to the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) initiative, which has a main goal of driving heightened blockchain adoption across the EU.

“The Aleph Zero Foundation is thrilled to join the Digital Euro Alliance, a forward-thinking organization playing a vital role in shaping the future of digital currencies in Europe and beyond. CBDCs and stablecoins are one of the next big frontiers in finance and technology. By collaborating with policymakers, regulators, and industry partners, we believe the DEA will help drive sensible development of central bank digital currencies and private sector digital euros.”

Antoni Żółciak, Aleph Zero Co-founder

We are committed to working closely with the DEA in shaping the future of digital currency that works for both users and regulators.