The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has initiated a pilot program for a wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC) aimed at facilitating the settlement of tokenized securities on the SIX Digital Exchange (SDX). This move marks a significant step in Switzerland’s exploration of distributed ledger technology (DLT) for financial market infrastructure.
According to the report, this pilot aligns with SNB’s broader interest in modernizing payment systems and experimenting with digital currencies backed by central bank funds. The Swiss central bank is also exploring a synthetic CBDC, which would function as a private tokenized currency supported by central bank reserves.
The SNB identifies this synthetic model as one of three settlement options currently under review. The others include the direct use of the wholesale CBDC and an integrated system connecting the SIC payment platform with DLT-based systems—a model previously explored in Project Helvetia, SNB’s earlier CBDC research initiative.
Despite launching the pilot, the SNB has clarified that it has not made any commitment toward the permanent rollout of a wholesale CBDC. It continues to maintain a neutral stance on the future adoption of any specific digital currency model, stating that its current focus is on evaluating the available options and their potential implications for financial stability and innovation.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency and central bank digital currency initiatives involve regulatory, operational, and technological risks. Please conduct your own research before making any investment or policy-related decisions.