A practical centre of knowledge of the future: Banking Meets DLT

Blockchain is developing rapidly and there is hardly an area of the economy, politics or society that is unaffected by its impact. The “Banking Meets DLT” event was aimed at more than 200 employees from all areas and levels of banking. Participants received a wide range of information on the possibilities of blockchain and insights into where Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) could potentially be applied at banks. The risks associated with DLT and pointers on how to handle the technology appropriately were also explored.

“It was very important to us to ensure that the content of the presentations was of high quality and that we create a platform for the exchange of expertise. We are very pleased with the outcome” said Prof. Dr. Fabian Schär, University of Basel.

Speakers representing various financial institutions and organisations introduced participants to both planned blockchain projects and projects that have already been executed in the banking sector. Visitors were also able to select three presentations relevant to their area of work from a broad selection of 12 thematic workshops. This was followed by two panel discussions on the topic "Blockchain and Banking", which examined blockchain regulation and the blockchain ecosystem in more detail.

“The conference has set the benchmark for practical training in the area of blockchain. In addition to this, the overwhelming attendance of bank representatives highlights the fact that blockchain, or distributed ledger technology, has found its way to the heart of the Swiss economy," says Heinz Tännler, President of the Swiss Blockchain Federation.

“The demand for exactly this type of holistic mix of expert knowledge was very high”, said Adrian Schatzmann. The event was fully booked in almost no time. “That shows that this joint platform featuring academia, the authorities and industry, spoke to the needs of our times. It was certainly not the last such event.”

In the lead-up to “Banking Meets DLT”, the SBA updated its 2018 “Guidelines on opening corporate accounts for blockchain companies” both in terms of content and terminology. It can be downloaded HERE.

In the coming weeks, the guidelines will also be available in Italian, French and English.