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Blockchain and its applications, in particular cryptocurrencies, have grabbed the headlines, but many people still do not know how they work. This briefing provides an overview of the uses and challenges of this technology, based on published information. Blockchain originated as part of the enabling digital ledger technology (DLT) developed at the end of the 20th century. DLT works as a digital database containing information (as a record book or ledger) that can be simultaneously used and shared ...

The EU adopted a comprehensive and innovative regulatory framework on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA) in June 2023 that will regulate crypto-asset markets. The regulation focuses on stablecoins, which are crypto-assets promising a 'stable value' against official currencies or values. The MiCA provides for strict transparency and governance rules, on the one hand, and prudential rules as per other financial institutions, on the other. By covering all aspects of the crypto-assets, MiCA is expected ...

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) systems bring enhanced security advantages to private communications. Yet they also pose increased difficulties to law enforcement investigations. In the case of child sexual abuse (CSA) online, these systems hide data from children who are being abused or coerced into sexual abuse, leading to a failure to pursue these crimes. Reports of online grooming increased by 82 % in 2022. While E2EE might prevail for all its advantages, it is also necessary to protect young children ...

Markets in crypto-assets (MiCA)

Em síntese 12-04-2023

The European Parliament is due to vote in April on adopting a regulation on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA), following a provisional agreement on the proposal in trilogue negotiations. The regulation would establish harmonised rules for crypto-assets at EU level, thereby providing legal certainty for those crypto-assets not covered by existing EU legislation. By enhancing consumer and investor protection and financial stability, the regulation seeks to promote innovation and the use of crypto-assets ...

After infiltrating an encrypted phone network widely used by criminals (EncroChat), law enforcement authorities in Europe made headlines with high-profile arrests and seizures. Across Europe, defendants are now challenging evidence and convictions, claiming flawed investigations, violations of cross-border evidence-sharing rules and insufficient disclosure of evidence. They argue that authorities violated their rights to a fair trial, effective remedy and privacy. This paper provides background on ...

One of the most appealing aspects of blockchain technology is the degree of transparency that it can provide. Blockchain has the potential to improve supply chains and clinical trials, enforce the law, enable responsible consumption and enhance democratic governance through a traceability of information as a means of ensuring that nothing is unduly modified. The level of transparency that blockchain brings forward adds a degree of accountability that has not existed to date. At the same time, one ...

A number of companies, universities and start-ups are racing to develop the fastest supercomputer in global rankings. So far China, Switzerland and the USA occupy the top four places in this regard, while the EU does not feature in the top 10. To address the situation, the European Commission has launched, as part of its European cloud strategy, a target plan to acquire and develop European high-performance computers that would rank among the world's top three by 2022. This would allow European science ...

Em 2015, a Direção–Geral dos Serviços de Estudos do Parlamento Europeu (DG EPRS) abriu novas perspetivas com a publicação «Ten technologies which could change our lives – potential impacts and policy implications» (Dez tecnologias suscetíveis de transformar as nossas vidas – potenciais impactos e implicações políticas), em que cada capítulo destaca uma tecnologia específica, as suas promessas e potenciais consequências negativas, bem como o papel que o Parlamento Europeu pode e deve desempenhar na ...

Terrorist attacks in major cities – notably in Paris, Nice, Brussels, Berlin and, most recently, Manchester – have shocked Europeans, highlighting the security challenges for open democracies that result, inter alia, from conflicts in the Middle East and Africa and religious radicalisation at home. In response, the European Union is pushing ahead with its Security Union concept to boost cooperation among Member States and use synergies in combatting terrorism. This note offers links to recent commentaries ...

Could the theory of quantum mechanics one day revolutionise commonplace technical devices such as sensors, communication devices and computers? Quantum mechanics is a scientific theory that has revolutionised our understanding of the Universe. In the world of classical physics, a system is always in one particular state (e.g. at rest or in motion) while in the quantum world, a system can be in a superposition of two or more states. Performing a measurement on such a superposition causes it to collapse ...