Swiss Blockchain Federation founded

In recent years, Switzerland has become one of the world's most important locations for blockchain companies and business models. These companies and initiatives need prospects - and above all legal certainty, as the newly founded organization Swiss Blockchain Federation writes in its media release on October 31. Startups are coming to Switzerland primarily because of the favorable framework conditions and the increasingly strong blockchain ecosystem, which has emerged in particular between Zug and Zurich and in the canton of Ticino and is becoming more and more established throughout Switzerland, the organization said. However, there are uncertainties in the regulatory area, which have also led to gaps in terms of infrastructure, it said.

Predecessor organization

That is why the "Blockchain Taskforce" was set up in December 2017. The taskforce has built a bridge from "Crypto Valley" to the federal government and the general public. Working groups were formed in various areas, such as ICO/tokens, banking and cybersecurity. In spring 2018, an initial report was submitted to the Federal Council. White Paper  presented with recommendations.

Association replaces previous task force

In order to put the activities of the task force on a long-term basis, an association with the name "Swiss Blockchain Federation" has now been founded. The primary goal of the new organization remains the preservation and expansion of the attractiveness of Switzerland as a blockchain location. The association is designed as a public-private partnership. It thus makes an important contribution by networking players from the federal government, cantons, business, science and society and itself acts as an economic and social incubator for the idea of blockchain-based applications and activities.

Heinz Tännler first president

Heinz Tännler, Finance Director of the Canton of Zug, was elected as the association's first president on October 30, 2018 in Zurich. For him, it is clear: "More and more high-quality start-ups and blockchain companies are settling in Switzerland. In order to further expand Switzerland's top position in the international competition for the best companies and ideas, joint efforts by the industry, politics, business and science are necessary. This concerns the legal framework as well as anchoring the potential of technological development in society."

Vice President Lorenz Furrer, co-founder of the Blockchain Task Force, summarizes the function of the association as follows: "The Swiss Blockchain Federation consists primarily of a panel of experts and personalities from a wide variety of backgrounds and assumes an umbrella function for the existing players and initiatives dedicated to promoting blockchain technology."

Mathias Ruch, Founder and CEO of CV VC and co-founder of the Blockchain Taskforce, will become President of the Expert Council. For him, the founding of the new organization is also an important step from the perspective of blockchain companies: "We can count on top-class professional support and know-how from the industry in the Board and Expert Council of the Federation right from the start. For example, Arthur Vayloyan, CEO and board member of Bitcoin Suisse or Philipp Stauffer from Fyrfly Venture Partners with his link to Silicon Valley could be won for the founding board."

The founding meeting was also attended by Charles Hoskinson, CEO of Federation founding member IOHK. The pioneer and co-founder of Ethereum says: "I am proud to be a founding member of the Swiss Blockchain Federation."

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