eIDAS Regulation

Definition ∞ eIDAS Regulation, short for electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services, is a European Union regulation that establishes a legal framework for electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions within the EU internal market. It aims to increase trust in electronic transactions across borders, making it easier and safer for citizens and businesses to conduct online activities. The regulation provides a common foundation for secure electronic interaction between citizens, businesses, and public authorities. It ensures that electronic signatures, seals, time stamps, and other trust services are legally recognized and interoperable across member states.
Context ∞ The discussion surrounding eIDAS Regulation often concerns its potential for integration with blockchain technology, particularly in creating verifiable digital identities and secure digital documents. Its relevance to crypto lies in providing a legal precedent and framework for digital trust that could be extended to decentralized identity solutions. A critical future development involves adapting and expanding eIDAS to accommodate the unique characteristics of blockchain-based identity and trust services, potentially fostering greater regulatory clarity and interoperability for digital assets within the EU.