Share this article
Swiss Government Supports Launch Blockchain Task Force
The Swiss government has launched a new initiative to cement its regulatory framework surrounding blockchain startups and ICOs.
By Nikhilesh De
Updated Sep 13, 2021, 7:21 a.m. Published Jan 9, 2018, 4:00 p.m.
The Swiss government is backing new group to cement its regulatory framework surrounding blockchain startups and ICOs.
Taskforce Blockchain – spearheaded by Finance Minister Ueli Maurer and Economics and Education Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann – includes both federal and local officials, as well as members of various blockchain startups and legal representatives, according to a fact sheet.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
The group will look at the legal guidelines surrounding ICOs and blockchain companies, while working with the State Secretariat for International Financial Matters – the federal body responsible for implementing financial market policy and representing the government's financial interests across borders.
Schneider-Ammann praised the inclusion of blockchain companies in the conversation surrounding their legal framework.
He added:
"[Blockchain is] becoming more important as a technology for many industries, not just crypto finance. [What is needed is liberal regulation], which opens opportunities for Switzerland's position while at the same time reducing risks."
Switzerland has long been friendly toward blockchain startups and cryptocurrency organizations, and is home to "Crypto Valley," a region in the country known for the number of companies developing projects based on the technology.
Additionally, the government's Federal Council proposed a regulatory sandbox last year to create a more welcoming environment for startups to experiment with their projects.
Part of this sandbox's mission would be to monitor the development of new business models inspired by financial technologies. The government also aired hopes to encourage more companies to build their base of operations in the European country.
The Taskforce Blockchain's first meeting will be on Jan. 12, 2018.
Swiss parliament and flag image via Shutterstock
Correction: This article has been amended to correct a misspelling of Finance Minister Ueli Maurer's surname.
More For You
What to know:
- As of October 2025, GoPlus has generated $4.7M in total revenue across its product lines. The GoPlus App is the primary revenue driver, contributing $2.5M (approx. 53%), followed by the SafeToken Protocol at $1.7M.
- GoPlus Intelligence's Token Security API averaged 717 million monthly calls year-to-date in 2025 , with a peak of nearly 1 billion calls in February 2025. Total blockchain-level requests, including transaction simulations, averaged an additional 350 million per month.
- Since its January 2025 launch , the $GPS token has registered over $5B in total spot volume and $10B in derivatives volume in 2025. Monthly spot volume peaked in March 2025 at over $1.1B , while derivatives volume peaked the same month at over $4B.
More For You
IMF Flags Stablecoins as Source of Risk to Emerging Markets, Experts Say We Aren't There Yet
The IMF warns that USD-pegged stablecoins could undermine local currencies in emerging markets by facilitating currency substitution and capital outflows.
What to know:
- The IMF warns that USD-pegged stablecoins could undermine local currencies in emerging markets by facilitating currency substitution and capital outflows.
- Despite concerns, experts argue that the stablecoin market is still too small to have a significant macroeconomic impact.
- Stablecoins are primarily used for crypto trading, and their market size remains small compared to global currency flows.
Top Stories
