A group of Swiss crypto enthusiasts is pushing for a big change: they want the Swiss government to add Bitcoin to the country’s national reserves. This isn’t just a casual suggestion; they’ve formally proposed an amendment to the Swiss constitution to make it happen.
The Bitcoin Initiative
The Swiss Federal Chancellery, basically the government’s administrative arm, has officially accepted the proposal. They’ve confirmed it meets all the legal requirements to move forward. The proposal aims to let the Swiss National Bank (SNB), the country’s central bank, buy Bitcoin.
Getting the Signatures
To make this amendment a reality, the initiative needs a serious number of signatures: around 100,000 from the Swiss public. This is to trigger a review of the proposal by the Swiss Federal Assembly, the country’s parliament. The deadline to gather these signatures is June 30, 2026. If successful, the constitution would be changed to explicitly allow the SNB to hold Bitcoin alongside its gold reserves.
A Long Shot?
Getting 100,000 signatures is a big ask. It represents about 1.12% of the Swiss population. Even if they succeed, the SNB itself remains skeptical. They see Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a risky, volatile investment, and are concerned about their use in illegal activities. The SNB’s chairman, Martin Schlegel, has described crypto as a “niche phenomenon.”
Who’s Behind This?
The initiative was put forward by ten crypto advocates, including notable figures like Tether’s Vice President of Energy and Mining and the founder of 2B4CH. Despite their efforts, the path to adding Bitcoin to Switzerland’s national reserves is a long and uphill battle.
