Calls for Bitcoin Inclusion in Swiss National Bank Reserves
Supporters of cryptocurrency are increasingly urging the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to incorporate Bitcoin into its reserve assets, citing the current global instability exacerbated by U.S. tariff policies led by former President Trump. This growing call for change follows a referendum initiative launched in December aimed at revising Switzerland’s constitution to mandate the inclusion of Bitcoin alongside gold in the bank’s reserves.
Arguments for Bitcoin as a Reserve Asset
Luzius Meisser, a board member at Bitcoin Suisse, argues that Bitcoin serves as an effective hedge as global economic power dynamics shift away from the dominance of the U.S. dollar and euro. During the upcoming shareholders’ meeting at the SNB, he plans to highlight that a significant portion—75%—of the central bank’s foreign exchange holdings is tied to these currencies, both of which are susceptible to political pressures, including inflationary practices like excessive money printing.
In contrast, Meisser asserts that Bitcoin is immune to such inflationary tactics, which can artificially devalue traditional currencies, providing a decentralized and stable form of value.
Proposed Allocation of Reserves
Moreover, the initiative’s lead organizer, Yves Bennaim, clarified that while he does not propose a total commitment to Bitcoin by the SNB, allocating a modest portion of 1% to 2% of its substantial reserves could effectively mitigate risks and increase the overall value of the bank’s holdings in the long term, as Bitcoin is recognized for its resilience against inflation and its growing demand.
