In a significant development within the blockchain industry, Hedera has announced a strategic partnership with the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), marking GBBC as the first Strategic Partner for the Hedera Council. This collaboration is poised to enhance global engagement across the Hedera ecosystem, underpinned by a mutual commitment to craft trustworthy web3 solutions for real-world applications.
The GBBC, established in 2017 in Davos, has established itself as a prominent nonprofit industry association focused on blockchain, digital assets, and emerging technologies. With a growing network of over 500 institutional members and hundreds of ambassadors operating across 124 jurisdictions, GBBC aims to foster the responsible adoption of blockchain by uniting business leaders, regulators, and innovators to cultivate a safer and more effective digital economy.
Shyam Nagarajan, Chief Partnerships Officer at Hashgraph, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating that GBBC enhances the Council’s capabilities to engage with governments, enterprises, and industry organizations globally. The goal is to promote growth within the Hedera ecosystem in a trustworthy, responsible manner that is built for sustainable long-term adoption.
Hedera’s governance model, which is designed around a diverse coalition of global institutions that validate transactions, prioritizes transparency and trust. This foundational trust is crucial for the sustained adoption of blockchain solutions, and GBBC shares this vision. Their extensive experience in establishing a mutual understanding and practical standards is expected to catalyze the growth of web3 adoption.
GBBC’s contributions to the Hedera ecosystem include a wealth of global policy and regulatory expertise. By collaborating closely with leaders in both the public and private sectors, GBBC shapes informed blockchain policies internationally. This alignment of enterprise needs with government priorities is seen as vital for accelerating progress within the Hedera ecosystem, particularly in sectors that demand clarity and trust.
Furthermore, GBBC is closely associated with major standards initiatives such as the Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI), InterWork Alliance (IWA), and BITA Standards Council. These initiatives strive to establish consensus around common terminology, best practices, and interoperable frameworks, supporting responsible growth and enabling practical real-world applications to scale across different sectors.
The partnership builds on a history of collaboration between Hedera and GBBC, exemplified by their joint “Sips and Standards” event held earlier this year at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. This event gathered leaders from policymaking, standards development, and technology sectors to discuss the practicalities of responsible web3 adoption.
Sandra Ro, Chief Executive Officer at GBBC, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting shared values that emphasize the necessity of trusted standards and collaborative public-private efforts for meaningful blockchain adoption. Serving as a Strategic Partner, GBBC is set to play a pivotal role in propelling the growth of the Hedera ecosystem.
The formation of the Strategic Partner category by Hedera Council aims to broaden participation within its ecosystem. The inclusion of GBBC as the first Strategic Partner brings this vision into reality, unlocking new avenues for co-development of solutions, increased adoption, and enhanced global engagement with organizations aligned with Hedera’s values. Looking ahead, Hedera Council anticipates fruitful collaborations with GBBC, especially around prominent civic and cultural initiatives, such as America 250 in 2026, fostering ongoing advancements in the trust layer essential for the new digital economy through responsible innovation.
