Government of Gibraltar Strengthens Ties with Global Blockchain Business Council

PRESS RELEASE No. 188/2021 Date: 4th March 2021

Government of Gibraltar Strengthens Ties with Global Blockchain Business Council The Hon Albert Isola MP named GBBC 2021 Ambassador, as Gibraltar features in annual report and speaks at Virtual Members Summit EMEA event Gibraltar – 4th March 2021 – H.M Government of Gibraltar has today announced that The Hon Albert Isola, Minister for Digital and Financial Services, has been appointed a 2021 Ambassador for the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), a leading industry association for the blockchain technology industry.

Officially expanding the organisation's global reach to 76 jurisdictions and disciplines, Minister Isola is among 130 global ambassadors to join the council, which includes other notable national and international government representatives, business leaders, and lawmakers. A full list of ambassadors can be viewed here.

H.M Government of Gibraltar also features prominently in the GBBC Annual Report was recently released, alongside other leading industry names. The report provides an overview of the council’s recent activities, memberships, and a message from each ambassador. In addition to this, Minister Isola also spoke at the invitation-only GBBC Virtual Members Summit EMEA earlier this week. In a roundtable discussion on Digital Infrastructure and the Digital Economy, which was led by Dr. Catrina Luchsinger Gähwiler, Partner, FRORIEP, Minister Isola was joined by Patricia Nwobodo, CEO, Rowet Group, Savannah Bank, Nigeria.

The Hon Albert Isola, Minister for Digital and Financial Services said, “From their desire to develop the emerging tech industry through education, advocacy, and partnership, to their commitment to advancing global understanding of blockchain, the GBBC’s values align closely with Gibraltar’s position as one of the leading proponents in the advancement of the technology. The GBBC creates a collaborative environment for innovators and pioneers and we are determined to play our part in driving the industry forward.”

H.M. Government of Gibraltar announced it had joined the GBBC in November 2020 as an Observing Member. Launched in Davos in 2017, the GBBC brings together innovators and thoughtleaders from over 50 countries to further adoption of blockchain technology by engaging and Ministry of Digital and Financial Services HM Government of Gibraltar • Suite 771 Europort • Gibraltar GX11 1AA t +350 20068052 f +350 20047677 e mc@gibraltar.gov.gi w gibraltar.gov.gi

educating regulators, business leaders, and lawmakers on the benefits and applications of this ground-breaking technology. ### Minister for Digital and Financial Services, The Hon Albert Isola MP, is available for interview.

Media Contact: Eleanor McGovern – Consultant Wachsman E: gibfin@wachsman.com P: +353 87 933 7769 About The Hon Albert Isola MP The Hon Albert Isola MP is Gibraltar’s Minister for Digital and Financial Services, with the primary responsibility of promoting Gibraltar as a well-regulated commercial centre. He has specific responsibility for financial services, digital technology innovation, and online gaming.

Minister Isola previously served as Gibraltar’s Minister for Commerce where he played a central role in driving the creation of the world’s first purpose-built DLT regulatory framework, which became law in January 2018 for firms using blockchain to store or transfer value belonging to others. Minister Isola played a leading role in the establishment of the Gibraltar International Bank, a first for Gibraltar as a home-grown full-service credit institution.

About Gibraltar A British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is a self-governing and self-financing democracy that has established itself globally as a reliable centre for the blockchain and digital assets industry. In January 2018, Gibraltar became the very first jurisdiction globally to introduce legislation around Distributed-Ledger-Technology (DLT), and has since asserted its position as a leading blockchain and virtual assets hub. With Gibraltar’s core values of regulation, reputation, and speed to market at the foundation of its efforts within the blockchain industry, Gibraltar is now globally renowned for its commitment to creating a sustainable and secure regulatory framework for DLT, as well as being one of the leading proponents in the advancement of the technology. For more information please visithttp://www.gibraltarfinance.gi/en/home

2