Companies go public to raise money, but could an ICO—an initial coin offering—bring in an extra layer of financing? Firms in Singapore have already taken the first steps, and, according to the CEO of Blockchain Global Limited, Switzerland could be next.
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August 30: What happened in blockchain this week?
Here are the top Swiss blockchain stories of the week. Sygnum takes the next steps in building a crypto bank; SIX CEO signals progress for a digital exchange; and an SNB survey shows that blockchain is used by less than 5 percent of Swiss banks.
Crypto bank Sygnum: “There’s clearly enough demand”
Sygnum co-founder Mathias Imbach says “our phonelines are ringing constantly” after receiving a banking and securities license from FINMA. He explains the company’s next steps in building one of Switzerland’s first regulated crypto banks.
Big bang: how Switzerland’s Crypto Valley was born
Alexander Brunner, author of Crypto Nation Switzerland, breaks down the history of Switzerland as a blockchain hub.
August 2: What happened in blockchain this week?
CV VC releases new blockchain report on Switzerland and Liechtenstein, with valuations of the top 50 companies doubling to USD 40 billion. Swiss-based Smart Valor launches a digital asset exchange. And the Swiss Asia Crypto Alliance registers in Zug.
Smart Valor launches digital asset exchange in Switzerland
Smart Valor has launched its digital asset exchange to trade cryptocurrencies with plans to include security tokens in the future. We speak to CEO Olga Feldmeier on why Switzerland’s “Crypto Nation” is only seeing this exchange now.
July 19: What happened in blockchain this week?
Bitcoin Suisse applies for a banking license, Zug investment platform TEND goes into administration, and Facebook’s Libra questioned on Capitol Hill.
July 12: What happened in blockchain this week?
Bitcoin Suisse brings the first crypto ATM to the Swiss Alps, the Commercial Registry of Zug accepts bitcoin payments in person, and Crypto Valley Labs searches for the next batch of blockchain startups for its incubation program.
July 5: What happened in blockchain this week?
The University of Geneva plans to be the first institution to teach Facebook’s Libra; Swiss blockchain entrepreneurs recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30 list; Bitcoin’s energy consumption surpasses Switzerland’s; and the Swiss stock exchange hosts first Bitcoin Cash ETP.
University of Geneva plans to be first to teach Facebook’s Libra
The University of Geneva is teaching Facebook’s new currency Libra in its blockchain programming course starting in September. A new module is being introduced specifically to cover Libra Blockchain and the associated Move programming language. Jean-Marc Seigneur from UNIGE says talks are already underway with Libra regarding collaboration on education: “The most advanced parts of Libra blockchain, the technical parts, might be taught by developers of Calibra, for example.”
