Federal Councilor Parmelin promises new impulses to the blockchain industry

Switzerland houses a variety of high-ranking blockchain and crypto companies with the Crypto Valley. However, other jurisdictions catch up. That is why industry representatives are increasingly demanding a clear position of the Federal Council.

Thanks to early guidelines and cooperation with politics, the Crypto Valley took a pioneering role from 2015 to 2019. After that it became rather quiet, too quiet. Switzerland gradually slipped From the top locations for blockchain companies. Against this background, the Swiss Blockchain Federation (SBF) invited 30 blockchain entrepreneurs and representatives to the Bundeshaus. After a tour of the traditional building of the Council of States Matthias Michel, Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin gave a speech to secure the support of the highest Swiss authority to the industry.

Good signals from the Federal Council

Blockchain and crypto are no longer a niche today, said the Minister of Economy and thanked the entrepreneurs for their commitment in Switzerland. He visited the Crypto Valley in February 2025 and was impressed by the functioning ecosystem, which includes numerous cantons.

“It is important to the Federal Council to position Switzerland as a leading blockchain location in the long term. – Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin

The StableCoin industry identified as one of the focal points. This applies to digital assets that usually map fiat currencies such as the US dollar. Their emission has been actually prohibited since the publication of new guidelines of the Federal Financial Market Authorization (Finma) last summer, As cvj.ch reported back then. The State Secretariat for International Financial Questions, headed by Parmelin, is currently developing a legislative template with which Swiss financial market law is to be targeted in order to adjust the framework conditions for stable coins. This will be ready for the public consultation in autumn. The FinTech permit, which Finma is very hesitant, also gets an update.

What does it need?

One became clear in the conversations. Switzerland has established itself as an internationally recognized blockchain center in recent years. Many blockchain companies and foundations that are known worldwide today have settled in Switzerland and believed in the chances of the country. But international competition has intensified. Legal uncertainties, regulatory challenges and increasing global location pressure put the attractiveness of Switzerland as a blockchain location.

“The worldwide competition has increased, which is why Switzerland is not allowed to stand still. We-industry, politics and administration-now have to be active together to secure our top position. Together we can set a powerful sign. With this occasion in the Bundeshaus, we wanted to appreciate the blockchain pioneers, whose commitment has a significant contribution to the radiation of Switzerland as a global blockchain center. Correctly set blockchain industry. – Heinz Tännler, Zug financial director and President of the Swiss Blockchain Federation

In this context, the SBF again put its recently published 12-point manifesto before. The document analyzes the current situation as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the Swiss financial center and derives action points and recommendations for politics, administration and industry. The manifesto is carried by Swiss Blockchain Federation, Crypto Valley Association, Bitcoin Association Switzerland, Dao Suisse and Swiss Fintech.