Ireland in bid to become blockchain centre of excellence

The platform, called Blockchain Ireland, has been created by the Irish Blockchain Expert Group (IBEG), an IDA Ireland-led forum established to promote and enhance the country’s blockchain industry.

Blockchain Ireland will provide information on setting up a business in Ireland, available services and support for blockchain projects, upcoming blockchain events within the country and key domestic and international stakeholders within the blockchain ecosystem. The platform will also highlight the strengths of the Irish technology sector and business environment to promote the country as a location for blockchain-enabled businesses.

Keith Fingleton, Chief Information Officer of IDA Ireland, claims Ireland is uniquely positioned to serve as a technology hub within Europe and internationally because of its large, highly skilled workforce and government commitment to innovation.

“The proximity of international and local firms, industry bodies, governmental institutions, and universities within the country allows for effective collaboration to meet new opportunities,” he says.

Eoin Fitzgerald, Senior Advisor for FinTech for Enterprise Ireland, adds that Blockchain Ireland will provide invaluable support to the many Irish startups currently using blockchain as well as those hoping to do so in the future.

“We are seeing an increasing number of Irish and international companies building far-reaching blockchain solutions within the country – it is an extremely exciting time for the space,” he states.

IBEG includes IDA Ireland, members of blockchain businesses and projects in Ireland, representatives from academic institutions and participants of the wider Irish blockchain community. Further input is being provided by Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Finance.