Technical

distributed ledger technology (DLT)

A replicated, shared ledger system across multiple nodes.

How the laws define this

Both instruments establish that distributed ledger technology centers on maintaining a shared or replicated ledger across multiple nodes using consensus mechanisms to enable recordkeeping and transactional functionality. They diverge, however, in how they connect this architecture to legal recognition and broader statutory frameworks. Law 4961/2022 explicitly includes blockchain implementations, specifies that the ledger is synchronized, and acts as a direct legal anchor that grants ledger-based records formal legal recognition, evidentiary weight, and admissibility for transaction validation. Conversely, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act highlights associated protocols alongside consensus mechanisms, framing DLT as the underlying core infrastructure for recognised innovative technology arrangements. Rather than detailing direct rules on evidentiary admissibility, it cross-references the complementary ITAS Act to establish its legal context.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
Malta	Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act	In Force	This definition adds references to associated consensus mechanisms and protocols enabling recordkeeping and transactional functionality, and cross-references it as core infrastructure for recognised innovative technology arrangements under the complementary ITAS Act.
Greece	Law 4961/2022: Emerging information and communication technologies, strengthening digital governance and other provisions	In Force	This definition explicitly includes blockchain implementations as examples and grants records on such ledgers legal recognition and evidentiary weight.

What it triggers

In Malta, DLT is the core infrastructure for recognised innovative technology arrangements under the Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act.source
In Greece, under Law 4961/2022, records maintained on DLT ledgers are given legal recognition and evidentiary weight.source

Definitions (2)

Distributed ledger technology is defined by the Act as the technological approach consisting of replicated or shared ledgers maintained across multiple nodes or participants, including associated consensus mechanisms and protocols that enable recordkeeping and transactional functionality. DLT is cross-referenced with the complementary ITAS Act as the core infrastructure for many recognised innovative technology arrangements.

Malta Digital Innovation Authority ActDefinition 1 of 2

A technology for maintaining a shared, replicated and synchronized ledger across multiple nodes using consensus mechanisms, including blockchain implementations; records maintained on such ledgers are given legal recognition and evidentiary weight under the law. DLT is the legal anchor for rules on recordkeeping, transaction validation and admissibility of ledger‑based evidence.

Law 4961/2022: Emerging information and communication technologies, strengthening digital governance and other provisionsDefinition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) / Blockchain

The related term equates DLT with blockchain, while these definitions treat blockchain as one implementation or example within broader DLT.

smart contract

Smart contracts are computer protocols that automatically enforce agreements, whereas DLT is the underlying ledger technology that may support them.

Questions and answers

What legal effects do DLT records have in Greece?

Under Law 4961/2022, records on DLT ledgers receive legal recognition and evidentiary weight. This serves as the anchor for rules on recordkeeping, transaction validation, and admissibility of ledger-based evidence.

How is DLT positioned in Malta's regulatory framework?

The Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act defines DLT as core infrastructure for recognised innovative technology arrangements. It cross-references the complementary ITAS Act.

Does any definition include blockchain in DLT?

Greece's Law 4961/2022 explicitly includes blockchain implementations within DLT. Malta's definition covers broader replicated ledgers with consensus mechanisms.