Geneva launches initiatives to harness the power of blockchain

The new Blockchain Lab and the Swiss Blockchain Association will provide education and infrastructure for entrepreneurs, and help reshape businesses through the blockchain.

Over the last 5 years, Switzerland has emerged as a leading hub for blockchain technologies thanks to its strong culture of privacy, data protection and decentralized institutions, as well as its progressive regulation. In Geneva, a very active business-oriented blockchain community has emerged under the auspices of the Fusion accelerator. Eleven blockchain start-ups are currently part of the Fusion family, with larger companies and governments increasingly reaching out to seek advice and assistance. Against this backdrop, Fusion has decided to launch a Blockchain Lab to strengthen the capacity of the local blockchain community, foster knowledge sharing and further developments in the field.

This initiative is supported by the State of Geneva, which has already adopted the blockchain technology to reinvigorate and innovate its public services infrastructure. As an example, it is currently testing blockchain applications to secure the electronic delivery of commercial registry excerpts.

Advancing the Swiss blockchain ecosystem

In parallel with the launch of Fusion’s new Blockchain Lab, a second initiative was unveiled on January 16th. The Swiss Blockchain Association aims to foster deep knowledge around blockchain technologies and to bring together blockchain communities across Switzerland.

“I am excited to see so much momentum and honored to be joined by so many members in the opening of the Swiss Blockchain Association. This is the first Swiss association focusing on the application of blockchain with a truly open and inclusive scope across Switzerland”, said Sal Matteis, CEO of Fusion and President of the Swiss Blockchain Association. The association already counts members from Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich.