Swiss Parties on Bitcoin & Co.
As crypto assets become integrated into traditional financial infrastructure, the need for regulatory clarity grows. The legal framework in Switzerland is influenced by the political system and implemented by supervisory authorities such as FINMA.
CVJ.CH interviewed representatives of the most popular Swiss parties in advance of the upcoming national and cantonal elections to find out their stance on cryptocurrencies and how much priority they give to them in their political activity.
Swiss People's Party (SVP Switzerland)
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes, as the founder and co-owner of a Swiss bank, it is natural for me to look into cryptocurrencies.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No. I am generally against bans and regulations unless they are absolutely necessary.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
3: The free market will decide which digital assets will prevail and which will not. Therefore, politics should only be concerned about providing good framework conditions.
Social Democratic Party of Switzerland (SP Switzerland)
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Not very much.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
I am in favor of strict oversight to prevent cryptocurrencies from being a vehicle for money laundering.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
2: Only under the angel of money laundering.
FDP.Die Liberalen (FDP Switzerland)
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes. I hold cryptocurrencies myself, introduced crypto donations as the former president of the Jungfreisinnigen Switzerland, and am a founding member of the Swiss Blockchain Federation.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No. I am fundamentally against technology bans, because they prevent progress and innovation.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
3: We have taken important steps with the DLT legislation, which is why the need for political (legal) action is currently not as high as it was before.
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes, we discussed early on in the parliamentary group on digital sustainability how to position and regulate cryptocurrencies in the financial market.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No, in a free market all possible types of currencies should be available.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
3: For my policy, I rank digital assets at level 3 and increasing.
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes, but only partially, as I have been less involved in financial instruments than some colleagues.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No, because I am convinced that we cannot ignore new methods. What is important is safety for users and compliance with legal standards.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
3: Given my other priorities.
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes, but not for personal use. Rather, in the context of positioning Crypto-Valley Zug and political discussions around blockchain technology.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No, I think technology bans are fundamentally unsuitable; framework legislation is needed for dealing with new technologies and applications.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
1 for assets 2; 3 for basic issues of regulations for blockchain applications.
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes, in relation to my financial investments.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No. But standardized rules for both digital and cryptocurrencies need to be created across the board.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
3: It is not a first priority for me, as I do not participate in the relevant commission. But it seems important to me that the transfers of assets are clearly checked and that a white money strategy is not circumvented.
The Center (Die Mitte)
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes. Some colleagues own cryptocurrencies and I always get updated on the latest trends.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No. However, I think it is important that customers are well informed about the opportunities and risks.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
2: In order for the Swiss financial marketplace to be fit for the future, trends must be followed and also offered.
Green Liberal Party Switzerland (GLP)
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes, as a nerd and programmer, I am particularly interested in the theoretical concepts behind it.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No, I believe Bitcoins will find their place in the global economic system and will definitely play a meaningful role.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
3: At the moment, the focus is on other aspects such as sustainability, digitalization and international cooperation/trade.
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
I am interested in the opportunities offered by this exciting product, but I set other priorities in my political work.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
3: I currently have responsibility for a dossier in another area.
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes, but only superficially.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No, I’m basically open to new technologies.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
2: My areas of competence lie elsewhere. Serious politics is not possible without specialization.
Pirate Party Switzerland (PPS)
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes, of course. I have had wallets for many years and enjoy using the many options cryptocurrencies have to offer.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No. Bans rarely make sense and a Bitcoin ban would be complete nonsense.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
4: Digital assets are useful in many ways, e.g. for membership fees, donations or for transactions where the “old” solutions are simply too expensive or cumbersome, even internationally. Already in 2016, we financed the referendum against the BÜPF partly with Bitcoin donations.
Do you have any experience with cryptocurrencies?
Yes. I made my first bitcoin transaction more than ten years ago, and since then I have been following the development of cryptocurrencies as well as other applications of blockchain technology closely.
Are you in favor of a bitcoin ban?
No. A ban would not be possible to enforce due the peer-to-peer architecture and would only affect legal use.
What priority do digital assets have in your policy (1 = very low, 5 = very high)?
4: Decentrally organized digital assets can provide a technological counterbalance to the continuous expansion of state power and thus play an important role for freedom and fundamental rights in the digital age.
