Swiss National Bank news and trends

Swiss National Bank Says Wholesale CBDC Eliminates Barriers in Financial Markets
CBDC // May 06, 2024

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is conducting a pilot project that has used wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) and successfully settled four tokenized bond issuances and one secondary market transaction. Project Helvetia III, which was launched in December, is testing tokenized central bank money for wholesale use and...

Swiss National Bank Chairman Says Retail CBDC Too Risky
CBDC // April 08, 2024

Swiss National Bank (SNB) Chairman Thomas Jordan said Monday (April 8) that the risks of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) issued to the general public would outweigh any potential benefits. Speaking at an event in Zurich, Jordan said both consumers and businesses have access to a wide...

Central Banks and BIS Test Tokenization to Speed Cross-Border Payments   
Cross-border Payments // April 03, 2024

Tokenization is gaining momentum on the global stage, and with commercial applications. The Bank for International Settlements announced Wednesday (April 3) that it is working in tandem with seven central banks — including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York — to test tokenization in a bid to improve cross-border payments....

Cash Secures Future as Lawmakers Prioritize Inclusive Payment Methods
Cash // March 12, 2024

The recent move by Norway to enact rules ensuring consumers’ ability to pay with cash reflects a growing concern over the potential exclusion of certain segments of the population who are reluctant to use digital payments. The proposed measures will enable customers to pay with...

Interviews & Exclusives
Central Banks and BIS Test Tokenization to Speed Cross-Border Payments   

April 03, 2024
Tokenization is gaining momentum on the global stage, and with commercial applications. The Bank for International Settlements announced Wednesday (April 3) that it is working in tandem with seven central banks — including the Federal Reserve Bank of New York — to test tokenization in a bid to improve cross-border payments. In addition, Project Agorá, as the initiative is known, will […]

Cash Secures Future as Lawmakers Prioritize Inclusive Payment Methods

March 12, 2024
The recent move by Norway to enact rules ensuring consumers’ ability to pay with cash reflects a growing concern over the potential exclusion of certain segments of the population who...

Quick Reads
Swiss National Bank Says Wholesale CBDC Eliminates Barriers in Financial Markets

May 06, 2024
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is conducting a pilot project that has used wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) and successfully settled four tokenized bond issuances and one secondary market transaction. Project Helvetia III, which was launched in December, is testing tokenized central bank money for wholesale use and allows participating banks to use Swiss franc wholesale CBDC to […]

Swiss National Bank Chairman Says Retail CBDC Too Risky

April 08, 2024
Swiss National Bank (SNB) Chairman Thomas Jordan said Monday (April 8) that the risks of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) issued to the general public would outweigh any potential benefits. Speaking at...

Swiss National Bank Says Merchant Cash Acceptance Unchanged Since 2021

February 23, 2024
Swiss National Bank (SNB) Vice Chairman Martin Schlegel said Friday (Feb. 23) that physical cash will never disappear from use in Switzerland, despite the popularity of payment apps. Speaking at...

Switzerland’s Central Bank Plans December CBDC Pilot

November 02, 2023
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is set to begin piloting a wholesale digital franc next month. The bank, along with six other lenders from Switzerland, Germany and Swiss digital exchange SIX, will...