Switzerland’s first blockchain conference for the public sector took place in Bern this week. Infrachain was opened on Monday by Swiss Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, who said that he is convinced that blockchain technology “will influence the whole economy and thus also administration”, according to an Infrachain tweet. According to Maurer, Switzerland has “strong cards” when compared to other countries, in part due to its many innovative startups and strong research facilities. However, the country should not underestimate competitors.
Liechtenstein Prime Minister Adrian Hasler also attended the conference, where he presented the country’s new blockchain law and called for legal certainty and optimal conditions for companies in the field of blockchain. According to Hasler, Liechtenstein and Switzerland are both “excellently positioned” when it comes to blockchain technology. However, he would like to see increased cooperation in this field “in order to better utilize the strengths of both countries”.
According to Maurer, legal certainty for companies is key, though he does not believe that Switzerland requires a new blockchain law like the one in Liechtenstein. “It is enough if six existing laws are adapted,” he said, according to an article on moneycab.ch. The aim is not to restrict companies, added Maurer, but to offer them a “broad way forward”. This should motivate startups to develop their businesses in Switzerland, something that is also the basic message of a report that will be published in two weeks’ time by the federal government’s blockchain/ICO working group.
