switzerland

Bitcoin infrastructure company Blockstream announced the launch of consulting services for financial institutions and established an office in Lugano, Switzerland. This business enables banks, asset management institutions, and others to directly connect with Blockstream's engineering team and Bitcoin infrastructure. Blockstream Consulting Services will assist institutions in assessing, designing, and implementing Bitcoin-based financial infrastructure, as well as developing related solutions such as tokenized asset issuance and confidential settlements, covering areas such as technology strategy, system architecture, integration, and implementation.Blockstream stated that the Lugano office will serve Swiss clients, including those in Zurich, Geneva, and Zug, and will act as its European business hub, supporting client relationships, strategic partnerships, and collaboration with local financial and technology communities. The company's Chief Marketing Officer Peter Bain stated that Switzerland has a long-standing banking tradition and a regulatory framework supporting digital assets, making it an important market for Blockstream; the company aims to provide local expertise in markets where it sees demand for Bitcoin infrastructure, and the consulting business along with the Lugano office will bring customized Bitcoin solutions to European financial institutions.Founded in 2014, Blockstream's business covers Bitcoin custody, settlement, payments, asset issuance, and self-custody, with products including the sidechain Liquid Network, Elements, Simplicity, Core Lightning, Jade hardware wallet, and Blockstream App. The company has launched Simplicity smart contracts on the Liquid network and added Lightning Network support for the Jade hardware wallet. Co-founder and CEO Adam Back stated that the next phase of Bitcoin adoption is to integrate into the existing financial system, and the company's experience in Bitcoin cryptography, protocol development, and engineering can address the related complexities. This announcement did not disclose the pricing of the consulting services, the size of the Lugano office's staff, or the names of clients.

The Swiss financial regulator FINMA has approved the country's first spot Bitcoin ETF aimed at retail investors, allowing the fund to invest directly in Bitcoin under Swiss investment fund regulations. FINMA stated on Tuesday that this ETF falls under the category of "other alternative investment funds" with specific risks under Swiss law.FINMA noted that Bitcoin has a longer trading history and trading volume far exceeding most other cryptocurrencies, thus allowing for exceptions to the rules requiring fund diversification, and listed safeguards regarding custody, operational risks, and investor disclosures. FINMA had previously approved a crypto fund for qualified investors in 2021, while existing Swiss Bitcoin ETPs are classified as debt securities and not investment funds.

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has approved the country's first Bitcoin ETF aimed at retail investors. This product falls under "other alternative investment funds" according to Swiss law and is labeled as having special risks. FINMA did not disclose the issuer of the fund, but multiple media outlets have indicated that signs suggest it may come from BIT Asset Management (formerly Matrixport Asset Management), and FINMA did not deny this claim in response to inquiries. Additionally, several fund providers have submitted or announced plans to submit Bitcoin ETF applications.The fund is a single-asset product, with all funds directed towards Bitcoin. To this end, FINMA needed to grant an exemption regarding its risk diversification rules, citing that Bitcoin has a long trading history and extremely high trading volume. In terms of asset custody, participating institutions must take measures to prevent operational and custody risks, with standards referenced from the regulatory announcement issued by FINMA on January 12, 2026, which requires that customer crypto assets are not included in bankruptcy assets in the event of the custodian's bankruptcy. Meanwhile, the sales process must comply with Fidleg's conduct rules to provide higher investor protection than direct purchases of cryptocurrencies, and the fund documents must clearly indicate the associated risks.While approving the ETF, FINMA emphasized that even investing in Bitcoin through an approved ETF carries high risks, with severe volatility potentially leading to significant depreciation of the principal invested, and required the issuer to provide clear warnings about volatility and loss risks. The United States has approved Bitcoin spot ETFs starting January 2024, with BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust launching on January 11, 2024, currently managing approximately $65 billion. The Swiss Exchange has been able to trade Bitcoin products for years, but they have existed in the form of ETPs and do not have fund status; this approved ETF is the first to incorporate Bitcoin into the approved public fund framework.

According to a report by Reuters, the Swiss cryptocurrency company Bitcoin Suisse plans to lay off up to 60 of its 120 employees in Switzerland to restructure its business. The company stated that software development and backend functions will gradually be integrated into an international center to accelerate expansion, acquire a broader talent pool, and invest more effectively in future products. The layoffs will take effect after the consultation period ends on September 20, and the company is also closing its IT development site in Copenhagen.

Switzerland provides a regulatory path for anti-money laundering for crypto businesses through the Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) model. Smaller crypto exchanges, brokers, and custodial wallet providers join the SRO under the framework authorized by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), which reviews their anti-money laundering control measures.When crypto businesses engage in financial intermediation activities such as token exchange, customer wallet custody, or payment token issuance in Switzerland, they must obtain a full license from FINMA or join an SRO. VQF, PolyReg, ARIF, and SO-FIT are responsible for supervising most crypto activities, and the review is usually completed within 2 to 4 months after the company submits its business plan, organizational structure, and anti-money laundering procedures.PolyReg, VQF, ARIF, and SO-FIT have jointly raised the minimum regulatory standards for virtual asset service providers at the beginning of 2026, covering transaction monitoring, blockchain analysis, and technical controls. The Swiss Federal Council initiated a consultation on new licensing categories for crypto custody, trading infrastructure, and payment tool issuance under the Financial Institutions Act at the end of 2025.

Bearingpoint's latest survey shows that 23% of Swiss adults use cryptocurrency at least occasionally, significantly higher than Austria's 18% and Germany's 11%. In addition, 37% of Swiss respondents believe that cryptocurrency is worth investing in, 45% think it could serve as an international trade or reserve currency in the future, and 44% are willing to use central bank digital currency (CBDC), with these figures all higher than those in Germany and Austria.The report points out that since the implementation of the DLT law in Switzerland in 2021, a mature crypto ecosystem has formed, with Crypto Valley housing 1,749 blockchain and DLT companies. Meanwhile, Germany plans to promote crypto asset services through traditional banking channels such as DZ Bank and Dekabank to narrow the gap in adoption with Switzerland.

According to Jinshi, today's key economic data and events to focus on include: 16:00 Switzerland July ZEW Investor Confidence Index, 16:30 UK June Central Bank Mortgage Approvals, 22:30 US EIA Crude Oil Inventory for the week ending July 24, EIA Cushing Crude Oil Inventory, and EIA Strategic Petroleum Reserve Inventory, the next day at 01:30 the Bank of Canada will release the monetary policy meeting minutes, the next day at 02:00 the Federal Reserve FOMC will announce the interest rate decision, the next day at 02:30 Federal Reserve Chairman Waller will hold a press conference, and the next day at 04:00 Meta, Microsoft, Qualcomm, and ARM will release their financial reports.

According to on-chain data monitored by Catcher Predict, significant capital movements are predicted in the Polymarket market. A large whale invested $90,525.01 in the "Argentina vs. Switzerland - More Markets" event, targeting the "Advancing Team." Based on the current transaction price, the latest corresponding winning probability for this target is 75.25%.

According to on-chain data monitored by Catcher Predict, significant capital movements are predicted in the market Polymarket. A large whale sold $109,800 on a single bet for the "Advancing Team" in the "Switzerland vs. Colombia - More Markets" event. Based on the current transaction price, the latest corresponding winning probability for this bet is 61%.

According to monitoring by Catcher Predict, in the "Switzerland vs Algeria - More Markets" event on the prediction market Polymarket, the "Over" option in the sub-market "Switzerland Second Half O/U 1.5" experienced significant fluctuations in winning probability, soaring from 21.5% an hour ago to the current 36.5% (a fluctuation of 15%). Please note the impact of related breaking news.

According to on-chain data monitored by Catcher Predict, significant capital movements are predicted in the Polymarket. A large whale invested $62,000 in "Switzerland vs. Canada," specifically targeting "Switzerland." Based on the current transaction price, the latest corresponding winning probability for this bet is 62%.

According to monitoring by Catcher Predict, in the event "Location of the Next Diplomatic Talks between the U.S. and Iran" on the prediction market Polymarket, the "Yes" option for the sub-market "Switzerland" has experienced significant fluctuations in winning probability, soaring from 63.45% an hour ago to the current 84.2% (a fluctuation of 20.75%). Please note the impact of related breaking news.

According to monitoring by Catcher Predict, in the event of "The location of the next diplomatic meeting between the US and Iran" on the prediction market Polymarket, the "Yes" option for the sub-market "Switzerland" has experienced a sharp fluctuation in winning probability, dropping from 34.6% an hour ago to the current 13.5% (a fluctuation of 21.1%). Please note the impact of related breaking news.

According to on-chain data monitored by Catcher Predict, significant capital movements are predicted in the Polymarket market. A large whale invested $75,000 in the "Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina - More Markets" event, specifically on the "Both Teams to Score" outcome. Based on the current transaction price, the latest corresponding win probability for this bet is 51%.

According to monitoring by Catcher Predict, in the event of "The location of the next diplomatic meeting between the US and Iran" on the prediction market Polymarket, the probability of the "Yes" option in the sub-market "Switzerland" has experienced significant fluctuations, soaring from 57.15% an hour ago to the current 74% (a fluctuation of 16.85%). Please note the impact of related breaking news.

According to monitoring by Catcher Predict, in the event "Location of the Next US-Iran Diplomatic Meeting" on the prediction market Polymarket, the "Yes" option for the sub-market "Switzerland" has experienced significant fluctuations in winning probability, soaring from 62.3% an hour ago to the current 77.65% (a fluctuation of 15.35%). Please note the impact of relevant breaking news.

According to monitoring by Catcher Predict, in the event of "The next diplomatic meeting location between the US and Iran" on the prediction market Polymarket, the "Yes" option for the sub-market "Switzerland" has experienced a sharp fluctuation in winning probability, dropping from 60.2% an hour ago to the current 35.55% (a fluctuation of 24.65%). Please note the impact of related breaking news.

According to on-chain data monitored by Catcher Predict, significant capital movements are predicted in the Polymarket. A large whale invested $102,095.34 in the "Qatar vs. Switzerland - More Markets" event, specifically targeting "Switzerland (-1.5)." Based on the current transaction price, the latest corresponding winning probability for this target is 61%.

According to monitoring by Catcher Predict, in the "Qatar vs. Switzerland - More Markets" event on the prediction market Polymarket, the "Over" option in the sub-market "Qatar Second Half O/U 1.5" has experienced a sharp fluctuation in winning probability, dropping from 43% an hour ago to the current 25.5% (a fluctuation of 17.5%). Please note the impact of related breaking news.

According to Reuters, the Bitcoin Initiative, which aimed to push the Swiss National Bank to include Bitcoin in its reserves, is expected to be terminated due to its failure to obtain the 100,000 signatures required to trigger a referendum.As the 18-month collection period nears its end, the initiative has only gathered about half of the signatures. The Swiss National Bank reiterated that the price volatility of cryptocurrencies and insufficient market liquidity do not meet its foreign exchange reserve requirements. Yves Bennaim, founder of the Bitcoin Initiative, stated that although the initiative will become invalid, related discussions have made some progress.