Switzerland gets its first Bitcoin bank (google translated from german)
The Bitcoins official hold entrance into the Swiss financial world. Now on the first ATMs follows the first Bitcoin bank in Switzerland.
The Swiss financial center is enriched by an offer. As the "Business Magazine" reported currently, preparations are establishing the first Bitcoin bank in Switzerland. Discussions to clarify the last details are already taking place these days. Involved is also the Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. Until now, in Switzerland, no financial institution that offers services in the Internet-currency Bitcoin.
The "Business Magazine" says one of the initiates of the project, an IT specialist Guido Rudolphi that an application for a banking license in the next few weeks is filed. First investors are on board, and during the search for suitable premises. Which company is that ultimately applied for a banking license, Rudolphi did not want to say for competitive reasons.
Bitcoin cool but underused
Every week there is currently all over the world on Setting Up Business in Bitcoin area. For consumers, the Internet currency, however, is still not very popular. The number of transactions is increasing only slowly. The situation is different at the journalists, these love the online money and report in detail about it and gain the currency thus a certain coolness.
Opinions are divided on the project of a Bitcoin bank in Switzerland. For Bitcoin expert Christian Mäder, operator of the website bitcoinnews.ch , the announcement is a surprise. "It is very difficult to obtain a banking license in Switzerland. I am therefore very surprised, "says the Bitcoin Kenner to 20 minutes.
But problems occur here on several fronts. So would the banks know their customers, for example. But Bitcoin as online currency grant a high degree of anonymity, which could become a problem here. So far, therefore, would have had in Switzerland licenses to act as so-called financial intermediaries only two companies. Neither had ever requested but a full banking license.
Specialists on board
So to start a Bitcoin bank is not easy. A team of bankers, IT specialists, lawyers and management consultants to ensure that the new project everything works. "The management will ultimately consist mainly of people who are knowledgeable in finance and IT security," says Rudolphi of "Business Magazine". «First investors - all from Switzerland - have already agreed." Where the head office of the bank will one day be, am not certain.
(KWO)
The original source in german:
http://www.20min.ch/finance/news/story/S...k-29423376
English version - Switzerland gets its first Bitcoin bank
