bitcoin legal status in eu

Key Points:* The EDPB’s guidelines could render Bitcoin illegal across the EU.

• Blockchain’s immutability challenges GDPR compliance obligations.
• Significant risks loom for public blockchains using public keys. Concerns among industry stakeholders are mounting, with potential for major disruptions in the crypto ecosystem. Stachtchenko described the situation as a “ticking bomb,” underscoring the legal risks facing not only Bitcoin but projects utilizing decentralized adaptability. For further context, Paymium’s partnership with Wyden, which deepens access to regulated digital asset markets, highlights the complexities for such platforms facing new regulations. Wyden integrates with Paymium.

Coincu research warns that the guidelines add legal uncertainty for global crypto projects operating in the EU. The proposed regulations may adversely impact the technological innovation sector, potentially stifling growth and evolving public blockchain strategies worldwide. France 24 provides digital support services.

EDPB Guidelines Push Bitcoin into Legal Peril

Alexandre Stachtchenko, Chief Strategy Officer of Paymium, raised alarms over the EDPB’s latest draft guidelines that consider blockchain public keys as personal data needing deletion. This requirement could compromise blockchain’s tamper-proof nature. Stachtchenko criticized this as unrealistic and out of technical sync, raising risks to Bitcoin. He stated, “Technical impracticability cannot be used as a reason for non-compliance with the GDPR; it may be necessary to delete the entire blockchain.”

If these guidelines are adopted, Bitcoin could face legal jeopardy due to unmet GDPR data deletion requirements. This interpretation applies pressure on all public blockchains using immutable data storage for public keys, potentially impacting Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies.

Concerns among industry stakeholders are mounting, with potential for major disruptions in the crypto ecosystem. Stachtchenko described the situation as a “ticking bomb,” underscoring the legal risks facing not only Bitcoin but projects utilizing decentralized adaptability.

Bitcoin’s EU Status in Flux Amid GDPR Challenges

Did you know? Privacy coin regulations in Europe previously resulted in deplatforming, underscoring potential repercussions if Bitcoin faces similar regulation.

Bitcoin (BTC) currently trades at $104,842.95, with a market cap of $2.08 trillion and a trading volume hike exceeding 97% within 24 hours. Its market share dominance stands at 63.28%, reflecting its preeminence alongside Ethereum. Data sourced from CoinMarketCap as of June 5, 2025.

Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 09:23 UTC on June 5, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap Coincu research warns that the guidelines add legal uncertainty for global crypto projects operating in the EU.