New Zurich blockchain hub “Trust Square” officially launches today with an opening ceremony chaired by the Head of the Department for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich, Carmen Walker Späh.

Located right opposite the Swiss National Bank, Trust Square emerges as a centre for research and development to facilitate the exploration of a broad spectrum of blockchain applications, the implementation of business models and the development of blockchain ventures.

2’300 square metres

On 2,300 square metres, spreading across three floors on Zurich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse, Trust Square offers space for 200 workstations, which are primarily meant for startups, researchers and investors, who deal with various applications of blockchain technology.

Ten desks are available to research projects from Trust Square’s academic partners ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, University of Basel and University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil as well as to its corporate partners Froriep AG and Rentsch Partner AG.

20 Ventures

Nearly all available desks have already been rented out to more than 20 ventures and projects as of the official start of the venue. Trust Square is a privately funded project and collaborates closely with the Canton of Zurich’s Business and Economic Development Division.

As part of today’s opening ceremony, a number of international experts share their views on blockchain technology, including Member of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, Fintech Coordinator of the European Central Bank Dirk Bullmann and Head of Banking Operations at the Swiss National Bank Sébastien Kraenzlin. In addition, Dr. Thomas Puschmann, Head of Swiss FinTech Innovation Lab at University of Zurich, will present an overview of current fields of research in blockchain.

In addition to renting out office space, Trust Square will organise internal as well as public events and seminars about blockchain topics. The new centre aims to create a lively ecosystem in the heart of Zurich to complement existing initiatives in other parts of Switzerland and to help strengthen Switzerland’s position as an international blockchain hub. To facilitate an exchange between the different regions, Trust Square maintains a partnership with Crypto Valley Labs (Zug), which includes the mutual use of working space.

Trust Square co-founder Daniel Gasteiger said:

“The topic of trust will strongly gain importance, both from a societal as well as from an economic point of view. Blockchain represents the crucial technology innovation to ensure this trust in today’s digital world.

That’s why I’m thrilled to see our idea of a Zurich blockchain hub come to life today and to work with our partners to deliver vital stimulus for the future use of blockchain technology.”

Head of the Department for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich Carmen Walker Späh said:

“Trust Square further strengthens Zurich’s position as a centre for digital innovation and complements the diverse blockchain ecosystem in our region, consisting of university institutes and numerous startups.

Our canton’s Business and Economic Development Division is working closely with Trust Square and actively supports the efforts to develop the Zurich area into a leading blockchain industry hub.”