Interviewer: Christopher, since moving on from HAYVN, you’ve been working on something ambitious over the last 12 months — creating a blockchain and cryptocurrency framework for Greece. What led you to take on this challenge?
Christopher Flinos: Greece has immense untapped potential, but its economy has been struggling for years. Austerity measures, high unemployment, and brain drain have left an entire generation of young Greeks feeling like their best opportunities are abroad or non existent. We need to change that and i felt that with my experience building businesses and in blockchain that i wanted to lead by example.
Blockchain and cryptocurrency represent a massive economic opportunity. We’re talking about an industry that is creating wealth, jobs, and innovation globally, yet Greece is barely in the conversation.
My goal is to establish a clear, structured framework that makes Greece a hub for blockchain businesses, attracts investment, and — most importantly — creates high-quality jobs for young, talented Greeks.
Interviewer: How does blockchain fit into Greece’s economic recovery?
Christopher Flinos: Greece needs bold, forward-thinking initiatives to reignite its economy, and blockchain provides a perfect opportunity. Our economy has been traditionally reliant on agriculture and tourism which is a great base to start with but not enough for a modern diversified economy.
Look at countries that have embraced the sector — Switzerland, Dubai, Singapore. They’ve attracted billions in investment and created entirely new industries around digital assets. Greece can do the same, but we don't just want to blindly create a nomad visa system, encourage freelances and leave them to their own devices. We want to build a model to encourage the right organisations, the right internal development, the right Government initiatives that are executable. We have seen too many Governments set unachievable goals. What we need to do is find the industries and Government initiatives that are executable and build a real blockchain ecosystem. Not a fake conference destination built on Press Releases but a real vibrant blockchain ecosystem playing a meaningful role within the economy.
A well-structured blockchain framework would encourage startups, financial institutions, and global firms to set up operations in Greece. It may also allow our traditional industries — like shipping, real estate, and tourism — to integrate blockchain solutions, making them more competitive on a global scale.
Interviewer: What are the key elements of the framework you’re developing?
Christopher Flinos: It needs to be comprehensive, covering everything from licensing for crypto businesses to taxation and financial integration. There are three main pillars:
- Regulatory clarity for businesses – We need a licensing system that allows blockchain and crypto firms to operate with certainty, similar to what Switzerland has done. Right now, Greece is a gray area, which means companies either avoid it or operate under unclear legal conditions.
- Incentives to attract talent and investment – Greece has an opportunity to position itself as a competitive jurisdiction in Europe. If we create visa, business, and tax structures that encourage blockchain development, such as reduced corporate taxes for crypto businesses and incentives for Greek startups, we’ll see an influx of capital.
- A strategy to bring back disenfranchised young professionals – Greece’s biggest problem is that its best and brightest are leaving or getting despondent on not participating at all. If we develop a thriving blockchain ecosystem with real career opportunities, young Greeks will have a reason to stay—or even return from abroad. We can create a tech-driven economy that offers high-paying jobs in software development, finance, compliance, and digital asset management. I am looking to work with universities around the country to identify and harness our best talent. I want them well paid, in thriving jobs, believing in themselves and their country again.
Interviewer: How do you see this benefiting specific sectors in Greece?
Christopher Flinos: Blockchain isn’t just about finance. It can revolutionize industries that are already key to Greece’s economy:
- Shipping: Greece is a global leader in maritime trade. Blockchain can improve transparency, streamline logistics, and secure shipping contracts through smart contracts. If we integrate blockchain into our maritime infrastructure, we can modernize the industry and maintain our leadership.
- Tourism: Crypto payments and blockchain-based booking systems could make Greece a pioneer in digital tourism. Imagine seamless transactions with no currency exchange issues, smart contracts for travel insurance, and verifiable hotel reviews on-chain.
- Real Estate: The Greek real estate market is ripe for tokenization. Blockchain can streamline property transactions, reduce bureaucracy, and allow fractional ownership, making it easier for foreign investors to participate.
These aren’t abstract ideas — other countries are already doing this. Greece just needs the right framework to catch up and win.
Interviewer: Who are you working with to push this forward?
Christopher Flinos: I’m using my own resources and working with the Greek blockchain community, policymakers globally, financial regulators globally, and legal experts to craft a framework that is different and that we can execute on. I’ve built businesses. But I’ve chosen to do this outside of the Government sphere until it is ready for final review and execution. I’m really enjoying engaging with entrepreneurs, investors, and Greek expats in tech and finance. The diaspora is full of talented Greeks who want to contribute but need a reason to believe in Greece again.
Interviewer: What’s the biggest challenge in making this happen?
Christopher Flinos: Bureaucracy and hesitation. Greece has an unfortunate history of being slow to embrace innovation. If we don’t act fast, we’ll miss out on a generational opportunity. The biggest challenge is convincing decision-makers that blockchain isn’t a niche industry—it’s the future of finance, commerce, and technology. But I didn't start there because I didn't want this to become a bureaucratic Government exercise. A nimble private sector approach to then partner with government. Public Private Partnerships (PPP’s) have long been used for large scale infrastructure projects and i want to use that model for something that hasnt been done before. The integration of a blockchain and cryptocurrency framework.
Interviewer: What’s your long-term vision for Greece in the blockchain space?
Christopher Flinos: I want Greece to become a European leader in blockchain innovation. I want young Greeks in towns and villages programming. I want them to be part of the global economy. To be able to lift their heads and see a future filled with hope and not a pale version of their parents past waiting to see what fields they will inherit. I want to be part of a change in the the mindset of people so that we can create a sector in Greece free from Government bureaucracy, full of hope that we can be a part of the transformation of our country’s economy that is so desperately needed. Too many of my Greek friends have no business ambition, no business opportunity, and no hope for a bigger, better future. This is wrong, and I want to do my part to change this. For me, this begins with a framework that attracts businesses, making Athens a hub for crypto firms, and ensuring young Greeks have real opportunities in a modern, tech-driven economy.
Beyond, I see potential for Greek blockchain projects — whether it’s tokenized shipping contracts, decentralized finance platforms tailored for Mediterranean markets, or blockchain-based registries that cut through government inefficiency. If we build the right infrastructure now, Greece can lead the next decade of digital transformation in Europe.
Interviewer: Final thoughts?
Christopher Flinos: Greece has been in economic recovery mode for too long. We need new sectors. The Government needs new ideas. It is currently under immense pressure. But the people also need hope. They need to be able to believe that their future can be better than the one their parents had. We need initiatives that don’t just patch the problems but create entirely new opportunities. Blockchain can be that catalyst. The choice is simple: either Greece changes its economy or gets left behind. I’m here to lead by example. To show that the private sector can sometimes step in where the Government has failed to help build a better future for our children here. To the Greeks and the global citizens that read this and want to be a part. Join me.
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