The Swiss stock exchange operator aims to leverage favorable legislation and growing institutional demand to enter the digital asset market.
According to the Financial Times, the Swiss stock exchange SIX, the third-largest stock exchange operator in Europe, is considering the creation of a European platform for digital asset trading. The group aims to leverage its reputation and Swiss cryptocurrency laws to attract major traditional investors who are increasingly interested in digital asset trading.
Bjørn Sibbern, Global Head of Exchanges at SIX Group, said:
“Crypto has become more and more a recognised asset class. The company is examining creating a platform where we can help facilitate trading, whether it’s spot crypto or whether it’s derivatives.”
The approval of spot ETFs on Bitcoin and Ethereum by the U.S. SEC has opened the doors to a significant influx of retail and institutional investments.
SIX, which is owned by 120 banks, already operates a separate exchange where, since 2018, nine digital bonds have been listed from issuers such as investment bank UBS and the local authority of the city of Lugano. Sibbern suggested that this exchange could expand its offering to include cryptocurrency trading.