Regulatory sandboxes

Within the scope of Beijing City’s two-year MetaVerse innovation and development plan (2022-2024), the focus is on fostering Web3 technologies, VR/AR applications, and digital identity systems. The plan explicitly mentions exploring regulatory approaches for blockchain and NFT technologies.

The overarching purpose is to drive the development of the digital economy, integrate immersive technologies into various sectors, and establish Beijing as a benchmark city for digital innovation, all while maintaining strict government oversight and preventing financial speculation.

A clinically validated VR-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) platform to treat anxiety disorders and phobias. The aim was to demonstrate safety, efficacy and data-protection compliance in real NHS settings.

A Reallabore pilot developing digital twin tools for urban planning and community engagement—to visualize city scenarios and public consultations in VR-like environments

A Reallabore pilot in the industrial MetaVerse integrating VR/AR with physical factory operations—aiming to simulate production processes, enhance flexibility, training, and sustainability in real manufacturing environments.

Introduce a national regulatory sandbox framework.

Spain’s AI regulatory sandbox is a controlled testing environment that allows innovative technological projects to be implemented in the financial system, fully compliant with the legal and supervisory framework, in order to increase efficiency, service quality, and, particularly, security and protection against new financial technology risks.

Japan operates a comprehensive Regulatory Sandbox system designed to promote innovation across various sectors by providing a controlled environment for businesses to test new technologies and business models that may not fit within existing regulations. The purpose is to identify and address regulatory barriers to innovation, allowing for the rapid deployment of new services and products.

Technological Free Zones are real-world geographical areas where companies can test innovative products, services, and technologies in a live environment with real users for a set period. The primary purpose is to accelerate the transition from experimentation to market-ready solutions by providing a flexible regulatory framework.