It seems to me that not only are financial institutions, private individuals and global communities looking to understand, invest and be a participant in blockchain technology they are finding ways to put money into the development of this new technology. ICO's are investing this on a weekly basis but this shows that this technology is moving more and more in to the mainstream.
Individuals may being to understand that centralized systems (like Facebook) have more power, profit and control at the expense and surrender of personal information and people individual digital identity. For this reason, among many others, blockchain technology is paramount to providing necessary balance, privacy and distribution of power, finance and identity. This is only one reason why blockchain technology needs to be understood, adopted and supported.
ANNOUNCES THEY WILL INVEST 300 MILLION FOR SUPPORT OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY
The European Commission released to the press that:
"We will be building a European partnership in blockchain technologies: The European Commission recently launched the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum in February 2018 and will invest some €300 million in projects supporting the use of blockchain. At the same time Member States have been very active in supporting blockchain ecosystems, launching experiments and announcing actions at the government level. In order to harness the many opportunities of blockchain and avoid a fragmented approach, tomorrow the Commission will lay the groundwork for establishing a European Blockchain Partnership to promote interoperable infrastructures that will enhance trusted digital services."
More about the declaration on blockchain technologies will be revealed in the near future.
This helps their initiative. Specifically they state: "The EU is continuing to develop a balanced, rules-based and progressive trade and investment agenda. This not only mutually opens markets with our trade partners but also enhances the EU's global influence on issues like human rights, working conditions and environmental protection."
SOURCES:
European Commission Press Release Data Base: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-2902_en.htm