Switzerland is a pioneer in regulating and promoting blockchain technology.

This will be reflected in the programme of the next Blockchain Summit – Crypto Valley on April 26th in Zug. Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann will give the opening speech at the Theater Casino in Zug and receive a report from the Blockchain Task Force.

The recommendations for future regulation and development of the still young industry are interim results of the task force, which only started work in January.

The task force comprises 50 personalities from the blockchain industry, business, science and politics. They work under the patronage of Federal Councillors Ueli Maurer and Johann Schneider-Ammann as well as the Cantonal Government Councillors; Carmen Walker Späh, Ernst Stocker, Heinz Tännler, Matthias Michel and Christian Vitta. Four working groups (ICO/Token, Banking, Cybersecurity, other areas of application) and two support groups (politics and blockchain industry) have developed proposals which are summarised in a conceptual white paper.

Openness towards the technology of the future 

Representatives of the task force will explain the recommendations at the Blockchain Summit – Crypto Valley. They will be available for interviews with journalists.

“Not only blockchain companies, but also the Swiss authorities have an open attitude towards new industries and technologies. I am proud of what the 50 task force members have achieved in a few months,”

says Mathias Ruch, co-initiator of the task force and founder of the consulting and investor group Lakeside Partners in Zug.

In various countries, authorities are skeptical about cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICO). Some countries have banned complementary currencies. In Switzerland, on the other hand, young companies generally encounter openness.

The liberal handling of cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings (ICO) are attracting international attention. Almost every second relevant blockchain company planning an ICO is now located in the Crypto Valley between Zug and Zurich.

“Sooner or later, the Crypto Valley will have a similar dimension to the Silicon Valley. Switzerland needs an anticipatory policy to maintain its position,”

says Lorenz Furrer, co-initiator of the task force and founder of Narwal Blockchain PR.

Rendezvous in the heart of Crypto Valley 

The conference in Zug on April 26th is the most important meeting of the blockchain industry in the Crypto Valley. In addition to the presentation of the interim results of the Swiss task force, a high-class program with top representatives of the industry will be offered.

Speakers and panelists include Luis Cuende (Aragon) Paul Meeusen (B3i), Daniel Gasteiger (Nexussquared/Procivis), Maria Jones (CoinTelegraph), Eva Kaili (European Parliament) and Tadej Slapik (State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia).

The thematic focus will be the supposed or actual antagonism between established corporations and start-ups. In industry specific panels (banks, insurance companies, real estate), the “old” economy meets the “new” economy, the blockchain industry. Off the conference stage, 20 promising start-ups will present their teams and business models in the Casino Theater.

“The Blockchain Summit focuses on quality in the selection of the companies presented. We show projects that can also be implemented,”

says Ralf Glabischnig, co-founder of the Summit and Managing Partner at inacta

Featured image via pexels