Swiss National Bank Faces Pressure to Allocate Bitcoin in Reserves
Switzerland may become the first major economy to add Bitcoin to its sovereign coffers as calls grow for the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to diversify its nearly 1 trillion CHF in reserves with a slice of cryptocurrency.
H2 Campaigners Push for 1–2 % Bitcoin Allocation
Luzius Meisser, board member of Bitcoin Suisse, and nonprofit think tank 2B4CH are leading a grassroots effort to amend the Swiss constitution and compel the SNB to earmark 1–2 % of its reserves in Bitcoin.
“An asset that’s increasing in value, becoming more secure, and that everyone wants to own deserves a spot in a trillion-franc reserve,” said Yves Bennaïm, 2B4CH founder.
They’ve launched a petition aiming for 100,000 signatures, which—if achieved—would trigger a nationwide referendum on the proposal.
H3 SNB Chairman Warns of Volatility Risks
Martin Schlegel, SNB Chairman, has publicly opposed the idea, arguing that Bitcoin’s price swings undermine its suitability as a central-bank asset. He cautioned:
“Our mandate demands stability. Introducing such a volatile instrument risks undermining confidence in the Swiss franc.”
No official reserve purchases have been made, but the debate has already sparked global headlines and institutional interest.
H2 Potential Global Precedent for Crypto Adoption
If Switzerland—the historic home of banking innovation—embraces Bitcoin, other central banks may follow. Analysts note:
-
Reserve Diversification: Even a small Bitcoin stake could hedge against inflation and enhance liquidity.
-
Market Signal: A sovereign buy-in would validate crypto as a mainstream asset.
Bitcoin trading volumes remain robust even on Swiss bank holidays, underscoring sustained demand and liquidity.
Share This
