Swiss National Bank Casts Doubt On Bitcoin As Reserve Currency

As a seasoned crypto investor, I have witnessed the ups and downs of the digital currency market firsthand. The ongoing debate about Bitcoin’s potential inclusion in the Swiss National Bank (SNB) reserves piqued my interest, considering the unique perspective it offers as a central bank.


Recently, Chairman Thomas Jordan of the Swiss National Bank reaffirmed the bank’s cautious approach towards adding Bitcoin to its currency reserves. Despite growing calls for legal changes to enable cryptocurrencies as part of the SNB’s reserves, the bank remains hesitant.

The chairman of the SNB, Jordan, highlighted the intricacies and potential hazards of including Bitcoin in the central bank’s reserves. He brought up issues regarding the environmental consequences of Bitcoin mining and transactions, specifically concerning high carbon emissions. Furthermore, Jordan underlined the significance of currency reserves being readily convertible, sustainable, and widely accepted for trading on global markets. These qualities cast doubt upon Bitcoin’s eligibility as a reserve asset from the perspective of the SNB.

Concerns Over Bitcoin’s Viability as a Reserve Asset

The comments made by Chairman Jordan offer insight into the Swiss National Bank’s concerns regarding Bitcoin’s suitability as a reserve asset. Although Bitcoin has garnered widespread recognition as a decentralized digital currency, its unpredictable price fluctuations and energy-consuming mining process pose difficulties for central banks when weighing whether to add it to their reserves.

The Swiss National Bank shares the wider financial world’s reservations concerning Bitcoin’s environmental footprint. The high energy usage required for Bitcoin mining has ignited debates about its suitability as a long-term asset, given growing global initiatives to address climate change.

Campaign for Bitcoin Inclusion Faces SNB Resistance

As a crypto investor, I can understand the perspective of the campaign advocating for the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to consider adding Bitcoin to its reserves. They argue that such a move would strengthen Swiss sovereignty and neutrality in today’s increasingly digital world. Moreover, it would provide an opportunity for greater diversification of the SNB’s investment portfolio. However, I acknowledge that resistance within the central bank may persist due to various reasons, including regulatory uncertainty and perceived risks associated with cryptocurrencies. Nevertheless, as an investor, I believe it is essential to keep abreast of such developments and remain open-minded to new opportunities.

As a researcher, I’ve come across some reservations from representatives of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), specifically Luzius Meisser from Bitcoin Suisse, regarding the campaign’s suggestions. Meisser brought up the SNB’s historical losses on government bonds and proposed that investing in Bitcoin could provide more enduring stability and lucrative returns over the long term. He accentuated Bitcoin’s value as a safeguard against inflation and a depository of worth, setting it apart from conventional assets like government bonds.

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2024-04-26 16:14