The Swiss Federal Chancellery has announced the approval of the federal popular initiative titled “For a Financially Strong, Sovereign, and Responsible Switzerland (Bitcoin Initiative).” The decision was made in Bern on December 17, 2024, and subsequently published in the Federal Gazette on December 31, 2024.
According to CoinMarketCap, this federal popular initiative aims to amend the Swiss Federal Constitution by requiring the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to hold Bitcoin alongside gold as part of its monetary reserves. The initiative is spearheaded by the nonprofit think tank 2B4CH, founded by Yves Bennaïm, with support from Tether’s Vice President of Energy and Mining, Giw Zanganeh. It targets Article 99, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution. Advocates must gather 100,000 signatures by June 30, 2026, to bring the proposal to a nationwide vote amid ongoing global discussions about state-level Bitcoin adoption.
The Swiss Federal Chancellery has officially approved the signature collection list for this initiative. This approval confirms that the list meets all legal requirements, including details about voter registration locations, the initiative text, publication date in the Federal Gazette, and provisions addressing legal violations during signature collection.
According to Blocktrainer, the Swiss National Bank has indirectly gained exposure to Bitcoin through its investments in MicroStrategy—a company known for substantial Bitcoin holdings. As of June 30, 2024, SNB increased its stake in MicroStrategy by 60%, holding 466,000 shares valued at approximately $63 million. This investment equates to an indirect holding of around 540 Bitcoin.
The Swiss Federal Chancellery is led by Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi and serves as the staff office for the Federal Council. It organizes government meetings, communicates decisions, and publishes official texts. Acting as a liaison between government entities and citizens ensures federal elections and votes are conducted correctly. Additionally, it coordinates government communications and oversees language services while informing citizens about their political rights. The chancellery also drives digital transformation within federal administration and manages ICT governance according to information available on the official website of the Swiss government.
