Blockchain in Italy: Hon. Marcello Coppo’s vision on regulation, innovation and global challenges
Blockchain in Italy is no longer a niche topic. The regulatory framework is largely in place, the sector is expanding, and institutions have opened a direct dialogue with industry players. However, according to Hon. Marcello Coppo, MP for Fratelli d’Italia and President of the Parliamentary Intergroup on Digital Assets, Blockchain and Bitcoin, progress will require greater cultural openness, less rigid regulation, and targeted action to distinguish genuine innovators from fraudsters.
Blockchain regulation in Italy: a solid framework but excessive caution
Coppo believes that Italy starts from an advantageous position: the FinTech Decree has already “legitimised” tokenisation and established rules for the use of DLT technologies. “The law is in place and must be applied,” he stresses, “but some supervisory bodies maintain an excessively cautious approach.”
He refers specifically to Consob and its president, Paolo Savona, who, according to Coppo, has expressed views akin to a “conscientious objection” towards certain blockchain-related instruments. “The problem,” he explains, “is that a supervisory authority cannot go against the law in force.”
The biggest constraint, however, comes from Europe, with MiCA, which ensures legal certainty but imposes requirements and costs that risk penalising smaller businesses, particularly for stablecoins, where issuers are required to deposit reserves in bank accounts.
Dialogue between institutions and blockchain industry players in Italy
The 13 June conference in Parliament, organised by the Intergroup, was a sell-out event, with high-profile attendees. “The aim,” says Coppo, “is to separate those who exploit blockchain to commit fraud from those who work honestly and can bring wealth to the country.”
Yet a cultural challenge remains: “We need more information,” he says, “because much of the prejudice stems from superficial reporting that associates blockchain only with scams.”
Beyond finance: practical examples of blockchain applications
Italian MP Coppo cites concrete use cases for blockchain in Italy and worldwide:
- Certification, security and value transfers: global transactions in 15 minutes, regardless of banking systems.
- Energy management: mining as a tool to use surplus energy, from renewable overproduction in Europe to hydroelectric projects in Africa.
- Local development: investments in electricity infrastructure and support for strategic plans, such as a “Mattei Plan for Africa’s development”.
Tokenisation: opportunities for professionals and Italian businesses
Notaries, lawyers and accountants could become the “oracles” of blockchain, certifying tokenised deeds and data. With smart contracts, it would be possible to simplify generational transitions in family businesses and streamline tax processes, with automated and transparent controls.
MiCAR and competitiveness: the challenge to 2027
By the end of the current parliamentary term (scheduled in Italy for 2027), Coppo foresees minor adjustments to Italian legislation but hopes that, at European level, MiCAR will be amended to be less “bank-centric” and more suitable for start-ups. “The current requirements favour large operators and risk excluding valid smaller-scale projects.”
Bitcoin as a global store of value
On the geopolitical front, Coppo interprets the openness of leaders and banks as a sign that Bitcoin is on its way to becoming the “digital gold” of the 21st century: a secure, incorruptible, decentralised asset, capped at 21 million units, destined to become a benchmark among world currencies.
Education and awareness for safe blockchain adoption in Italy
The MP’s final message is clear: “Get your information from reliable sources and stay away from those promising miraculous gains. Bitcoin is serious; most of the rest is just gambling.”
According to Coppo, the future of blockchain in Italy will depend on the ability to build a network of professionals to guide citizens and businesses towards informed decisions, enabling the country to fully harness the potential of this technology.
This article was first published in Italian on 13 Aug 2025.
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