The Swiss Blockchain Federation is celebrating its first anniversary.The organization focuses on promoting Switzerland’s blockchain hub, which stretches from Ticino to Geneva.Its co-founders Mathias Ruch and Lorenz Furrer discuss Libra and express concern over a lack of funding for blockchain start-ups and self-promotion.“We have a lot of competitors all over the world,” says Furrer.“We have to fight for our position.” Olivia Chang Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg on Capitol Hill discusses Libra; SIX talks about the future of its Swiss digital exchange; and Crypto Valley expands from Zug to Vaduz, Liechtenstein.
Olivia Chang SIX Digital Exchange: “From absolutely nothing to over 120 employees” SIX is pushing ahead with the 2020 rollout of its digital assets exchange, maintaining that it is “reasonably on track” with a team over 100 people.Thomas Zeeb, head securities and exchanges, discusses regulatory roadblocks, partnership with the Swiss National Bank, and why they’re eyeing assets like art and wine.He also predicts that it will be at least a decade before SIX looks into “decommissioning” its traditional exchange.
“And in our world at the moment,” he says, “that’s a heck of a long time.” Olivia Chang Oct.18: What happened in blockchain this week? Here’s what happened in blockchain in Switzerland this week.
PostFinance and Energie Wasser Bern turn to blockchain to make electricity billing easier; Geneva trader MKS is behind a new gold-backed token; and 21 founding members sign the Libra charter in Geneva.Olivia Chang UNICEF targets USD 25 million in new cryptocurrency fund The United Nations Children’s Fund is the latest organization to accept crypto donations.The Swiss-based Ethereum Foundation made the first donation of 100 Ether and 1 Bitcoin.Christopher Fabian from UNICEF Innovation says the new crypto fund is targeting USD 25 million but admits philanthropy and blockchain is still a niche.Olivia Chang Here’s what happened in blockchain this week.The Swiss National Bank links up with SIX and BIS on digital assets; Liechtenstein approves new Blockchain Act; and UNICEF opens new crypto fund.
Olivia Chang Liechtenstein Blockchain Act steps ahead of Switzerland The Liechtenstein Blockchain Act will go into effect on January 1, 2020.Thomas Nägele, president of the Crypto Country Association and co-author of the act, expects up to 20 Swiss companies to relocate to Liechtenstein next year.“When it comes to legislation, we are ahead,” he says.Olivia Chang October 4: What happened in blockchain this week? Here’s what happened in blockchain in Switzerland this week.The Libra Association COO says requests to join the project are rolling in worldwide; the State Secretariat for International Finance shares its latest update on Libra; a new blockchain pilot in canton Schaffhausen; and gearing up for Crypto Finance Conference 2020.Olivia Chang Libra Association COO: We’re not at the stage of members dropping out Despite scrutiny, Libra Association COO Bertrand Perez told CNNMoney Switzerland in a recent interview that he’s confident about getting more members on board.“For now, the discussions we are having with the founding members are very positive and good.” He says requests to join the association are building up worldwide and hopes to add Swiss companies to that list.Olivia Chang Arab Bank Switzerland tests crypto waters to meet Middle East demand Arab Bank Switzerland just opened up to crypto, making it one of the earliest to do so.
The reason? Demand for crypto custody and brokerage is coming from institutional clients from the Middle East and Swiss family offices, according to CEO, Serge Robin.
Olivia Chang Another Swiss bank opens doors to crypto; the University of St.Gallen adopts blockchain to fight academic fraud; Bank for International Settlements hosts a conference on stablecoins in Basel; and new blockchain graduates in Switzerland.Olivia Chang University of St.Gallen fights fake diplomas with blockchain The University of St.Gallen is using blockchain so employers can verify if a diploma is real or fake.
The new pilot project aims to issue 200 tamperproof certificates by next year, says CIO Harald Rotter.It comes amid concerns of a global rise in this type of fraud.Olivia Chang New stablecoin guidelines out from FINMA; Crypto Finance plans expansion to Asia Pacific; and the newly-released book “Crypto Nation Switzerland.” LOAD MORE.
