The Swiss Blockchain Federation (SBF) is an association of companies, industry groups, and institutions that promotes the development of the blockchain and crypto sector in Switzerland. It acts as a platform for dialogue, standard-setting, and political positioning, with the goal of establishing Switzerland as a leading hub for distributed ledger technology (DLT) and digital assets.
The SBF brings together stakeholders from business, research, and politics to help shape regulatory frameworks, advance technological innovation, and build trust in blockchain applications. In doing so, it plays a central role in the national debate surrounding legislative revisions such as the Swiss Financial Institutions Act (FINIG).
Subscribe to our newsletter
The best articles of the week, directly delivered into your mailbox.
Origin and purpose
The Swiss Blockchain Federation was formed in response to the growing importance of DLT technologies and the need to embed them within a stable legal and economic policy environment. It sees itself as a bridge between industry and lawmakers, ensuring that political decisions remain technology-neutral, innovation-friendly, and economically sound. Members of the SBF come from a wide range of sectors, including banks, fintech startups, law firms, consulting companies, and research institutions, all sharing a common interest in the sustainable development of Switzerland’s blockchain ecosystem.
A core objective of the SBF is regulatory design. This is particularly evident in its involvement in the revision of the Swiss Financial Institutions Act (FINIG). The SBF advocates for clear and technology-neutral regulation of blockchain-specific business models such as crypto trading, digital asset custody, and stablecoin issuance. It calls for rules that ensure security and compliance without stifling innovation. In addition to policy advisory work, the federation promotes best practices, develops technical standards, and organizes dialogue formats between companies and authorities. This helps reduce uncertainty in the sector and creates shared points of orientation.
Importance for Switzerland as a location
Switzerland is considered one of the most attractive blockchain locations worldwide, a reputation shaped in no small part by the SBF and related industry initiatives. Clear political positioning, active participation in legislative processes, and ongoing exchange between market participants have created a competitive advantage in international comparison. The SBF supports this advantage by demonstrating how blockchain technologies can be integrated into traditional economic and financial processes, from tokenized financial products and digital identities to decentralized network infrastructures.
The Swiss Blockchain Federation works closely with authorities, other associations, and international stakeholders. This includes dialogue with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), and exchanges with global standard-setting bodies. Through international cooperation, the SBF helps align Switzerland’s regulatory developments with global trends.
The Swiss Blockchain Federation is a central actor in Switzerland’s blockchain ecosystem. It brings together business, politics, and academia, promotes technology-neutral regulation, and strengthens the country’s innovative capacity. At a time when blockchain applications are increasingly entering the mainstream, its role as the industry’s voice and a mediator between different perspectives is more important than ever.
