When you interact with a blockchain app, you might think your data is anonymous—but under the GDPR, the European Union’s strict data protection law that gives individuals control over their personal information. Also known as General Data Protection Regulation, it applies to any service that collects data from people in the EU, even if the company is based elsewhere. Blockchain’s immutability clashes with GDPR’s right to be forgotten. If your name, wallet address, or transaction history is stored on-chain, you can’t delete it—and that’s a legal problem.
Many crypto projects ignore this until they get fined. A decentralized exchange that requires email sign-ups? That’s personal data. A wallet app that logs IP addresses? That’s personal data too. Even token airdrops that collect Telegram handles or Discord IDs can trigger GDPR rules. The EU data protection, a framework enforced by national authorities across member states to ensure consistent application of privacy rights doesn’t care if your tech is decentralized. If you’re targeting EU users, you’re in scope. Some projects solve this by storing data off-chain, using zero-knowledge proofs, or letting users opt out of data collection entirely. Others just shut down in Europe.
It’s not just about fines—though those can hit up to 4% of global revenue. It’s about trust. Users are starting to ask: "Can I delete my data?" "Who has access?" "How is this stored?" Projects that answer clearly, simply, and legally stand out. Those that don’t get labeled as risky. You’ll see this play out in the posts below: from crypto exchanges that scrub EU data to blockchain platforms that built compliance into their architecture from day one. Some are doing it right. Others are ignoring the law—and paying the price.
Multi-jurisdictional compliance in blockchain means following different laws across countries. GDPR, SEC rules, and local privacy laws can hit you even if you're decentralized. Here's how to avoid fines and shutdowns.