Academia meets Practitioners
Until its renaming and repositioning in Spring 2026, the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center (FSBC) was a research institution and think tank dedicated to exploring the multifaceted implications of blockchain technology, originally founded by Philipp Sandner, and later headed by Co-Pierre Georg.
FSBC researched a wide range of blockchain topics and ran a network for managers, start-ups, and industry experts, who met there to exchange knowledge and best practices.
Core Focus Areas
The FSBC's research and activities covered these areas of the blockchain and digital asset space:
- Crypto Assets: Investigating the development, management, and regulatory aspects of cryptocurrencies.
- Digital Securities: Exploring the potential and frameworks for securities in a digital format.
- Digital Euro and Central Bank Digital Currencies: Assessing the implications and implementation of digital currencies issued by central banks.
- Tokenization of Assets: Studying how physical and digital assets can be represented and managed on blockchain platforms.
- Decentralized Finance: Understanding the innovations and challenges within the DeFi systems.
- Non-Fungible Tokens: Analyzing the creation, trading, and impact of unique digital assets in NFTs.
Key Projects and Initiatives
The FSBC spearheaded several significant projects and educational programs aimed at promoting blockchain knowledge and innovation:
- Crypto Assets Conference (CAC): An annual event that brings together industry leaders to discuss the latest trends and developments in the crypto asset space.
- DLT Talents Program: A program specifically designed to empower women by providing education and opportunities in the blockchain sector.
- DeFi Talents Program: Focused on educating individuals about decentralized finance, this program equips participants with the knowledge needed to excel in the DeFi industry.
- NFT Talents Program: A leadership program that trains individuals to navigate and lead in the evolving NFT landscape.
- Bitcoin Talents Program: Aimed at ambitious young professionals, this initiative provides the education and skills required to enter and thrive in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
- ReFi Talents Program: Dedicated to regenerative finance, this program empowers participants to become leaders in sustainable financial practices.
Shaping the Future
The Frankfurt School Blockchain Center also co-founded several organizations to further its mission:
- Digital Euro Association (DEA): An organization focused on the development and implementation of the digital euro.
- intas.tech: A consulting company specializing in digital assets, providing expert guidance and solutions.
- DEC Institute: An institution that certifies executives' knowledge in blockchain technology.
The Frankfurt School Blockchain Center was a leader in blockchain research, education, and community-building, driving the advancement and adoption of blockchain technology across various sectors.
In Spring 2026, Frankfurt School Blockchain Center was renamed Centre for Digital Economics (FS-C4DE) being a research center dedicated to understanding and shaping the infrastructure of the digital economy.
Frankfurt School Blockchain Center at Finance Loop events
The Frankfurt School Blockchain Center organized the Crypto Assets Conference, and Finance Loop was an official sponsor of CAC 2025. The center and the conference were the official partners of TechClub 25/3, the fintech afterwork party that Finance Loop held with TechQuartier one day before the conference. With TechQuartier, the center also supported the launch of the Alliance for Finance and Web3 by Finance Loop.