On September 10, 2020, the Swiss canton of Ticino announced the official establishment of the Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association (TBTA), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing blockchain research, supporting innovative companies, and accelerating talent cultivation through academic collaboration. The launch marks a significant step in Switzerland's regional efforts to build a blockchain innovation hub.
Mission and Core Objectives
TBTA aims to foster organic growth of the blockchain ecosystem at both Swiss and international levels. Its key activities include research, skills training, investment facilitation, and experimentation, helping enterprises and institutions adapt to this disruptive technology. Association President Giacomo Poretti, Senior Lecturer-Researcher at SUPSI’s Department of Innovative Technologies, stated: “We are very pleased to have prestigious international companies among the members. This platform is important not only for Ticino but for the whole of Switzerland, as companies and academic institutions join forces to achieve innovative solutions.”
Founding Partners and Academic Collaboration
The founding partners of TBTA include Bitcoin.com, Copernicus Holding SA, Eligma Ltd (GoCrypto), Euronovate SA, Eventboost SA, Pangea Blockchain Fund, Poseidon Group, Quadrans Foundation, StrongBlock.io, Superflat SA, and the Swiss Blockchain Consortium. On the academic side, the association collaborates with the University of Southern Switzerland (USI)—leveraging its Computer Systems Institute and Master of Science in Financial Technology and Computing—and the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), which offers Certificates of Advanced Studies in Blockchain and Fintech.
Endorsements from Government and Academia
Stefano Rizzi, Director of the Economics Division of the Canton of Ticino and Vice President of the Agire Foundation, commented: “This choice is consistent with the canton’s economic development strategy focusing on innovation and networking of skills. Through synergies between state-of-the-art companies and research institutes, Ticino can play an important role in blockchain-related technologies with positive impacts on employment and growth. The canton was an early promoter of the Swiss Blockchain Federation.” USI Rector Boas Erez added: “Today knowledge is not only found in research institutes but is widely distributed. These structured cooperations allow us to expand our multidisciplinary expertise.” Emanuele Carpanzano, Director of SUPSI’s Department of Innovative Technologies, noted: “Blockchain technology holds significant interest going forward. We welcome the birth of a new association that brings together interdisciplinary actors and skills present in Ticino.”
Looking Ahead
The formation of TBTA comes at a time when blockchain applications are accelerating globally. Switzerland, already recognized as a blockchain-friendly nation, stands to further strengthen its position as an innovation hub through this regional initiative. The association’s executive committee includes Giacomo Poretti, William Duplessie, Brunello Pianca, Maggie Rokkum-Testi, and Lars Schlichting. For more information, visit the TBTA official website at www.tbta.ch.