(MENAFN- The Arabian Post)

A plunge of nearly 90 percent in blockchain-related job postings across Europe underscores a stark contraction in the sector, even as industry leaders plan to rally through the 11th European Blockchain Convention in Barcelona.

By one estimate, Europe went from over 100,000 jobs referencing“blockchain” in 2022 to roughly 10,000 in 2025, representing the dramatic erosion in demand. Analysts cite regulatory complexity, high energy costs, and capital flight to more permissive jurisdictions as key drivers of the decline. Meanwhile, European fintech funding has shown signs of revival, and the push for a digital euro is accelerating efforts to rebuild digital finance infrastructure.

The upcoming European Blockchain Convention, scheduled in mid-October in Barcelona, aims to reassert Europe's role in blockchain innovation and foster renewed collaboration between regulators, startups, and established financial actors. Planners expect over 100 sessions covering tokenisation, decentralised finance, institutional crypto, privacy, and security, along with startup pitch competitions.

Victoria Gago, co-founder of EBC, rejects narratives of European decline, arguing that clarity from the MiCA regulatory framework and a resilient talent pipeline offer grounds for optimism. At the same time, she cautions that Europe must act decisively to retain its competitive edge.

Data on the job collapse are echoed in analyses of the Europe Crypto Report 2025, which notes that compliance and licensing costs have ballooned, deterring many startups from maintaining operations on the continent. The report also warns that the region risks permanent marginalisation in crypto innovation unless it reforms access to finance, simplifies regulatory burdens, and deepens banking integration.

Yet, not all signals are negative. In the first half of 2025, European fintech investment rose about 23 percent to €3.6 billion, with 28 percent of that capital flowing from U. S. investors. This uptick points to sustained international interest in European digital finance companies. The idea of a programmable digital euro is also advancing: the European Central Bank and EU member states are reportedly nearing agreement on core design parameters.

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The broader technology landscape confirms a shift in investment and talent priorities. According to McKinsey's 2025 tech trends outlook, while AI and frontier technologies are surging, blockchain's talent demand remains weak compared to its peak, underscoring the urgency for Europe to integrate blockchain more holistically with adjacent sectors.

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