The 2025 IEEE Global Blockchain Conference (GBC 2025) concluded successfully on June 22nd in Shanghai, China. Jointly organized by IEEE and Tongji University, and supported by the Shanghai Municipal Data Bureau and the Jing’an District People’s Government, the three-day event brought together over 400 participants from around the world. The conference featured 75 high-level activities, including keynote speeches, technical presentations, academic paper sessions, and roundtable forums centered on the integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence, the development of digital public infrastructure, and international collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Conference Highlights and Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony commenced with a speech by Dr. Thomas Coughlin, 2024 IEEE President. He praised the academic quality and global influence of GBC 2025, emphasizing that the conference served not only as a platform for cutting-edge technology exchange but also as a bridge for international trustworthy cooperation in the blockchain space.
Professor Liu Erwu, Conference Chair and a professor at Tongji University, delivered the closing address. He highlighted the key outcomes of the event, which included 20 keynote speeches, 51 technical reports, 60 outstanding research papers, and two cross-disciplinary roundtables. Professor Liu stressed that blockchain represents not just a technological innovation but a fundamental shift in trust mechanisms.
Key Roundtable Discussions
Two major roundtables were held on the final day, fostering dialogue between Chinese and international representatives, particularly from Belt and Road countries.
Connecting the Middle East and China: International Cooperation Forum
Chaired by Raymond Zhu from the China-Arab Science and Technology Association, this forum brought together experts from China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey. Discussions focused on:
- Promoting joint research publications
- Developing sustainable academic collaboration roadmaps
- Exploring AI-driven blockchain applications in logistics, smart cities, and financial services
- Enhancing cross-regional industrial coordination and digital transformation
Participants agreed that the complementary strengths of Middle Eastern and Chinese innovators present significant opportunities for building trusted digital supply chains.
Blockchain for Global Trust: Technological Leap from Yangtze River Delta to Belt and Road
Chaired by Wu Xiao, IEEE Blockchain Deputy Coordinator for the Middle East, this high-level panel included IEEE leaders, government advisors, and industry representatives. Key topics included:
- Regional integration and governmental collaboration supported by blockchain
- Hong Kong’s digital pilot programs and Web3.0 regulatory experience
- Cross-national digital infrastructure connectivity
- The role of international organizations like IEEE in facilitating cooperation
- Drafting a joint memorandum for a "Global Trust Collaboration Mechanism"
The forum helped establish consensus on cross-regional coordination and governance systems among participants from the Yangtze River Delta, Hong Kong, and multiple international institutions.
Award Announcements
Dr. Thomas Coughlin and Professor Liu Erwu jointly presented three major awards during the closing ceremony:
- Best Paper Award: Not awarded this year
Best Technology Award: Two recipients:
- Professor Roger Wattenhofer from ETH Zurich and the Anza team for the "Alpenglow" high-performance consensus protocol developed for the Solana blockchain platform
- Mr. Wang Hu's team from the Yangtze River Delta Digital Chain Network Infrastructure Co., Ltd. for their blockchain network supporting trusted data circulation
- Best Application Award: Professor Kezhi (Ken) Li from University College London and collaborators from Oxford, Imperial College London, Tongji University, and UK-based FLock for their blockchain-enabled跨国 federated learning framework for healthcare (MCGP)
Academic and Industry Participation
The conference exceeded attendance expectations with over 400 participants, including 23 international guests, 8 academicians, and 10 IEEE Fellows. Representatives came from leading academic institutions worldwide, including Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Cornell, UCL, ETH Zurich, and top Chinese universities. Industry participants included experts from Google, Anza, Medad Holding, China's major telecommunications operators, State Grid, Huawei, Ant Group, and numerous blockchain enterprises.
Key Platforms and Initiatives Launched
The conference marked the establishment of two significant platforms:
- IEEE Blockchain China Office
- IEEE GBC Achievement Transformation Service Center
These initiatives aim to facilitate collaboration between government, industry, academia, and research entities, serving as hubs for domestic and international cooperation.
Future Roadmap and Global Vision
Professor Liu Erwu outlined the following steps for building on the conference's momentum:
- Implementing the "Global Trust Collaboration Mechanism" through MOUs with international partners
- Establishing regional nodes in the US, Europe, Middle East, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia
- Promoting synergy between IEEE GBC and the China International Import Expo (CIIE)
- Accelerating achievement transformation through the newly established offices
- Preparing for IEEE GBC 2026 with enhanced industry focus and policy alignment
Dr. Coughlin reaffirmed IEEE's commitment to supporting technical standardization and collaboration platform development globally.
Media Response and Industry Feedback
Major media outlets highlighted the significance of the conference and the establishment of the IEEE Blockchain China Office. Reports emphasized how these developments position Shanghai's Jing'an District as a potential global blockchain innovation and governance center, combining resources from universities, research institutions, leading enterprises, and international organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main focus of the 2025 IEEE Global Blockchain Conference?
The conference centered on blockchain and AI integration, digital public infrastructure, and international collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative. It served as a platform for technical exchange and trust-building among global stakeholders.
What were the key outcomes of the conference?
Major outcomes included the launch of the IEEE Blockchain China Office, the IEEE GBC Achievement Transformation Service Center, and the "Global Trust Collaboration Mechanism" initiative. The event also featured numerous technical presentations and award recognitions for blockchain innovations.
How will the conference impact global blockchain development?
The established frameworks and international networks will facilitate ongoing collaboration, standard development, and practical implementation of blockchain solutions across various sectors and regions.
What industries were represented at the conference?
Participants came from diverse sectors including academia, government, telecommunications, energy, finance, healthcare, and technology development, reflecting blockchain's broad applicability.
Where will future IEEE blockchain events be held?
While the China office will support ongoing activities, future IEEE GBC events are expected to rotate among global locations to foster wider international participation. 👉 Explore global blockchain collaboration opportunities
How can researchers and practitioners get involved?
Interested parties can engage through IEEE blockchain initiatives, participate in future conferences, and collaborate through the newly established regional offices and achievement transformation centers.
Conclusion
GBC 2025 served as both an academic summit and a launchpad for concrete actions in global blockchain collaboration. With its emphasis on trust-building and practical implementation, the conference has established a foundation for ongoing international cooperation in developing open, inclusive, and trustworthy digital systems. The blockchain community anticipates further advancements and broader impact from future gatherings and initiatives.