France and Croatia will battle it out in the World Cup Final on Sunday…but at Dether, we wondered, who would win the blockchain regulation final?

Much like the world of blockchain, the matches of the 2018 World Cup have often gone in a direction no one thought it would: we’ve had upsets, triumphant underdogs, and a lot of excitement!While you couldn’t buy your official World Cup ticket with crypto, Russia offers plenty of places to spend your crypto: many Kalingrad hotels were accepting crypto, as well as select bars and airlines.While we already know how great the two teams are at football, we wondered, just who would take the crown in a blockchain regulation battle? Is France or Croatia leading the way in innovation?

Croatia: the Vatreni — blockchain victors?

Croatia comes in hot, thanks to the existence of the country’s Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Association (UBIK), established in February of this year. The self-regulatory organization, which boasts over 70 members, has already been in talks with the leading tax agencies in the country, which has so far expressed a great willingness to work together. UBIK’s central goals are creating a blockchain community in Croatia, providing relevant and timely information to the blockchain community, and providing technical and financial support to blockchain projects

UBIK (https://ubik.hr) focuses on three main principles: community, information, and support

UBIK’s board of directors features major leaders in the blockchain industry and in blockchain news and media. The association is also partnered with Crobitcoin, which published crypto news relevant to Croatia and abroad.Croatia has also hosted several major blockchain conferences, like Block Splitand Bločk, featuring the leading experts in blockchain technology throughout the country. Bruno Škvorc, one such expert, features prominently on the crypto scene in Croatia, publishing educational blockchain content and news on his site Bitfalls.

Croatia also has five crypto ATMs or “BTMs” (Bitcoin Teller Machine) across the country, in Pula, Rijeka, Split, and Zagreb.There is currently one Croatian shop listed on the Dether map. If you’re in the market for some beautiful art, and are looking to buy with crypto, then look no further than Slika in Rijeka, Croatia!

France: les bleus and blockchain

France has played well this World Cup — but can we say the same about their blockchain regulation track record?

French supporters celebrate their entry into the final

Overall, the country remains mixed on its acceptance of blockchain technology in the public sphere, and few ICOs have taken place in the country of late. But it seems that the tides may be turning.

There’s no governing blockchain body in the country, but that may soon change. A recent report by Jean-Pierre Landau cited New York’s BitLicense model as a future possibility for France, and expressed an overall positive attitude towards expanding crypto technology.

The launch of Chain Accelerator, which is billed as the “largest blockchain accelerator in Europe,” plans to help startups with their ICOs, marketing, and PR. Chain Accelterator cofounder, Nicolas Cantu, hopes that it will help Paris become a hub for blockchain development.

Even Bruno Le Maire, the French finance minister, was once skeptical towards the emerging technology, but has now welcomed it, saying,

“I was a neophyte a year ago, but now I’m passionate about it. But it took me a year. Let us be a model of pedagogy with our fellow citizens to make France the first place of blockchain & crypto-active innovation in Europe.”

Le Maire even highlighted how not having a bank account makes it difficult for many new blockchain startups to grow and expand.

So, who wins?

It’s a tough call! Croatia is working hard to welcome blockchain technology into daily life, and there’s an undeniable grassroots movement to educate and inform the general population about its potential. France, while once so closed-off to the possibility of crypto and blockchain entering the public and business sphere, has had a change of heart — but is it enough to bring new startups and innovation to the country?When it comes to current regulations, our crypto is on…Croatia!The country’s efforts to welcome the technology and get others excited about it deserves to be lauded — but we’re excited to see where France heads in the future, as they attract new startups and encourage positive legislation.

No matter what, it’s all good news for Dether, as the app will be available in over 120 countries after launch, including France and Croatia. Are you signed up for early access? Sign-up here and get a license to become a Dether seller!