According to the source, a coalition of Swiss cryptocurrency advocates has launched a campaign urging the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to diversify its holdings by including Bitcoin (BTC) in the country’s national reserves.
This initiative, called the “Bitcoin Initiative,” goes beyond mere advocacy — it seeks to amend the Swiss Constitution to mandate Bitcoin’s inclusion alongside traditional assets like gold. Proponents argue that such a change could future-proof Switzerland’s financial infrastructure and strengthen economic resilience in an increasingly volatile global landscape.
A Referendum in the Making: 100,000 Signatures to Spark a National Vote
Switzerland, renowned for its direct democracy model, empowers citizens to propose constitutional amendments through public referendums. The Bitcoin Initiative aims to gather 100,000 verified signatures within 18 months to trigger such a vote — a milestone that, if reached, would put Bitcoin front and center in a national policy debate.
Crypto advocates leading the charge, including Luzius Meisser and Yves Bennaïm, are emphasizing that even a small percentage of the SNB’s nearly 1 trillion CHF in reserves invested in Bitcoin could offer a hedge against inflation and centralized monetary risks.
“Bitcoin is digital gold. It’s decentralized, finite, and immune to political manipulation,” Meisser stated in a recent press interview. “Switzerland has a chance to lead by example.”
Why Bitcoin and Why Now?
The push for Bitcoin adoption at the central bank level comes as global macroeconomic uncertainty rises. Inflation, currency devaluation, and mounting debt in traditional economies have reignited interest in Bitcoin as a non-sovereign, deflationary store of value.
Supporters of the initiative believe that Bitcoin, like gold, provides a counterweight to fiat-based monetary policies. It’s 21 million cap ensures scarcity, and its decentralized design aligns with Switzerland’s long-standing values of neutrality, financial independence, and innovation.
Moreover, this comes as countries like El Salvador and the Central African Republic have already embraced Bitcoin as legal tender, and several nations are now exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and Bitcoin-based reserves as part of future-facing monetary strategies.
The SNB Pushes Back: Volatility and Security Still a Concern
Despite the growing momentum, the Swiss National Bank remains cautious. Vice Chairman Martin Schlegel recently expressed skepticism over Bitcoin’s inclusion in the country’s reserves, citing concerns over:
Price volatility that could compromise reserve stability
Liquidity risks, especially during global financial shocks
Cybersecurity threats, including code vulnerabilities or potential bugs
“Bitcoin is not yet mature enough for institutional reserve portfolios,” Schlegel remarked during a fintech policy panel, highlighting that cryptographic software inherently carries systemic risk.
Could Switzerland Set a Global Precedent?
Regardless of whether the initiative succeeds, it has already ignited a national conversation on the future of money — and that conversation is echoing across borders.
Financial analysts suggest that if Switzerland, a traditional safe-haven economy, were to embrace Bitcoin, it could encourage other central banks to follow suit, particularly in countries exploring alternatives to USD dominance or seeking to hedge geopolitical risk.
Switzerland’s potential embrace of Bitcoin would mark a symbolic shift in central banking, bridging traditional finance and digital innovation in one of the world’s most influential monetary hubs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Bitcoin Initiative in Switzerland?
It’s a citizen-led campaign to amend the Swiss Constitution, requiring the Swiss National Bank to include Bitcoin in its national reserves.
How many signatures are needed for the referendum?
The initiative needs to collect 100,000 valid signatures within 18 months to trigger a national vote.
Why do proponents want Bitcoin in national reserves?
Advocates argue that Bitcoin acts as a hedge against inflation and political risk, similar to gold, and fits Switzerland’s values of financial independence.
What is the SNB’s stance on Bitcoin?
The SNB has expressed skepticism, citing price volatility, cybersecurity issues, and doubts over Bitcoin’s maturity as a reserve asset.
Glossary of Key Terms
Swiss National Bank (SNB): Switzerland’s central bank, responsible for managing monetary policy and national reserves.
Bitcoin Initiative: A political campaign in Switzerland seeking to mandate Bitcoin holdings in the SNB’s reserve strategy via a constitutional amendment.
Reserve Asset: A currency, commodity, or digital asset held by central banks to support currency stability or emergency liquidity.
Inflation Hedge: An investment that protects against the loss of purchasing power due to rising prices.
Volatility: The degree of variation in asset prices over time; higher volatility means greater risk.
Sources
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