Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534769
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 APRIL 2025 6 COMMERCIAL The European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) THE recent implementation of the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI) node in Malta represents a ma- jor achievement for our country, positioning us among a select group of Member States that are hosting this innovative in- frastructure. MITA, through its Digital Enabling Services De- partment, supported the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) in their efforts to drive the advancement of our coun- try's digital foundations. The EBSI is a decentralised network aimed at enhancing cross-border public services within the EU. Each Member State hosts one or more nodes, creating a robust infrastruc- ture that ensures data integrity through blockchain technology. The strategic importance of the EBSI lies in its ability to poten- tially transform the delivery of public services. By promoting a secure and transparent environ- ment for data sharing, EBSI can streamline administrative pro- cesses and enhance citizen en- gagement. The EBSI relies on the Hyper- ledger Besu which is an open- source Ethereum client tailored for enterprise blockchain net- works. The Malta EBSI Node is hosted on the MITA Azure Cloud infrastructure, utilising distinct virtual machines for the pilot, pre-production, and production environments. Each environment is configured with specific technical specifications to meet the unique requirements of its respective network seg- ment. The EBSI operates on a mesh network topology, allow- ing multiple nodes to connect directly and dynamically with as many other nodes as possible. To validate transactions and create new blocks, the European Blockchain Services Infrastruc- ture (EBSI) employs a 'Proof of Authority (PoA)' consensus mechanism. This approach relies on the identity and reputation of a select group of validators, rath- er than on computational power or stake. The organizations host- ing the EBSI nodes from Member States are vetted by the Europe- an Commission, fostering trust among participants. While this model does carry a risk of cen- tralization, it offers significant advantages, particularly in terms of scalability, efficiency, and re- duced energy consumption. For its security, the EBSI is a closed network and any appli- cations proposed by service pro- viders must first go through a rigorous quality assurance prior to gaining access to the network. There are already many diverse services available on EBSI and one of the most interesting and transformative is the European Self-Sovereign Identity Frame- work (ESSIF), which promotes the concept of self-sovereign identity, empowering individuals to manage their own digital iden- tities. It will be interesting for us to see if any of the supporting technology could have an appli- cation in any of our future initi- atives. Recent reports suggest that while interest in blockchain has experienced fluctuations, it continues to evolve, with Web3 technologies driving new inno- vations. Applications such as smart contracts and blockchain interoperability are anticipated to gain traction in the coming years. The new eIDAS Regula- tion could potentially facilitate this. Article 45k(2) states that 'data records contained in a qualified electronic ledger shall enjoy the presumption of their unique and accurate sequential chronological ordering and of their integrity', and Article 45l goes on to specify the require- ments for qualified electronic ledgers. We look forward to the forthcoming Implementing Acts and technical specifications for this new type of trust service, as well as the potential areas for ap- plication. For us, this project for the im- plementation of an EBSI Node in Malta has provided an excel- lent opportunity to implement a unique type of infrastructure and develop a wide range of new skills and knowledge. We will continue to follow and support the evolution of the EBSI, ensur- ing that our country remains at the forefront of this Digital Ena- bling Service. The EBSI is a decentralised network aimed at enhancing cross-border public services within the EU. Top: Jonathan Vassallo, Enterprise Architect, Digital Enabling Services Department. Bottom: Manwel Bugeja, Solutions Architect, Digital Enabling Services Department