In Techniques of the Observer: On Vision and Modernity in the Nineteenth Century, Jonathan Crary analyzes the historical processes that shaped the idea of observation, focusing on its political effects and its current relevance. For Crary, an observer is not simply someone who sees, but someone situated within conventions, discourses, technologies, and institutions that define what and how it is possible to see. As Giovanni Battista della Porta, an inventor of the camera obscura, once remarked: one must observe phenomena carefully in order to eventually manipulate them.
Observation, then, is not neutral. It carries the mission of producing impact, knowledge, engagement, and dissemination. These principles inspire Brazil’s National Blockchain Observatory, an initiative that seeks to strengthen the maturity of blockchain use in Brazil by fostering a dialogical, decentralized approach grounded in research and practical applications. The Observatory systematically monitors the sector’s emerging dynamics, produces collective intelligence, and encourages a culture of responsible innovation connected to Brazilian realities.
It draws inspiration from the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum, aiming to integrate academia, government, and industry while promoting collaboration and transparency. It provides open access to information so that citizens can follow and contribute to mapping blockchain applications, research groups, and companies developing solutions. It also disseminates events, courses, and opportunities, while supplying evidence-based inputs for policymaking through indicators, case studies, and qualified data.
Brazil’s National Blockchain Observatory originates from Project Iliada, executed by RNP (Brazilian National Research and Education Network) and CPQD (a leading Brazilian ICT research and development center), and coordinated by Softex (a Brazilian non-profit organization fostering the software and ICT industry). The project strengthens Brazil’s blockchain ecosystem through: (i) a multi-platform testbed for developing blockchain-based applications; (ii) public calls to fund blockchain R&D; and (iii) dissemination of knowledge, recognizing the socio-technical dimensions of innovation.
But what is an “observatory”?
There is no single definition, as models vary by purpose, scope, and governance. However, observatories are increasingly associated with governance, data production, and decision support. They are auxiliary, collegial structures that collect and systematize information, create indicators, and connect stakeholders.
The Observatory was designed after analyzing 12 national and international observatories, identifying three main models: (i) aggregators of initiatives; (ii) news curators; and (iii) producers of indicators. These became the Observatory’s core pillars. The platform’s relational database integrates taxonomies from empirical analysis and Project Iliada’s guidelines, allowing multiple data crossings. Collection involves open sources, automated monitoring tools, institutional partnerships, and participatory forms.
Beyond information, the Observatory promotes engagement. It established a Community of Experts, a trusted environment for dialogue, sharing of best practices, and collective learning. More than mapping, it aspires to influence the trajectory of blockchain in Brazil. By combining human curation, open data infrastructures, and engagement strategies, it provides a replicable model for other technological areas.
Although rooted in the Brazilian context, the Observatory (available in Portuguese and English) also offers insights for Europe. Brazil’s experience demonstrates how open, collaborative platforms can bridge research, government, and industry in emerging technologies. Its model could therefore be adapted to other regions seeking to align technological innovation with societal needs.
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