Beyond Traditions: Swiss Banking’s Journey into Digital Assets and Blockchain

Patrick Schueffel () and Daniel Stuessi
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Patrick Schueffel: Department of Finance, HEG School of Management Fribourg, HES-SO, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Chemin du Musée 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
Daniel Stuessi: RealUnit Schweiz AG, Schochenmuehlestrasse 6, 6340 Baar, Switzerland

FinTech, 2025, vol. 4, issue 2, 1-22

Abstract: Swiss banks are at a pivotal moment as digital assets gain traction, presenting both challenges and opportunities. This study examines how Swiss banks can leverage their internal resources and capabilities to establish a competitive advantage in the digital asset ecosystem. Using the Resource-Based View and the VRIO (Value, Rarity, Imitability, and Organization) framework, this study investigates the strategic importance of key services such as custody, staking, and tokenization. Drawing on expert interviews with Swiss banking leaders, this research identifies these services as vital for maintaining Switzerland’s financial leadership. Findings suggest that Swiss banks’ established reputation for trust, combined with regulatory clarity under the Distributed Ledger Technology Act, creates a strong foundation for digital asset adoption. While digital asset custody services address the growing demand for security, tokenization presents significant growth potential, particularly in real-world asset markets. This study concludes that Swiss banks can sustain their competitive edge by investing in blockchain expertise, fostering fintech partnerships, and enhancing educational initiatives. By combining traditional banking strengths with innovative digital asset services, Swiss banks are well positioned to capitalize on this evolving financial landscape.

Keywords: digital assets; banking; tokenization; staking; custody services; real-world assets; RWA; decentralized finance; DeFi; non-fungible tokens; NFTs; business strategy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C6 F3 G O3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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