A blockchain cluster is moving into offices on Zurich’s prestigious shopping mile. The man behind this initiative used to work for UBS.

The placement could hardly be more central: in April, Zurich’s first blockchain hub will move into offices on Bahnhofstrasse 3, a landmark building on the shopping mile connecting Zurich’s train station with Paradeplatz and the lake. The offices are next to the Zurich branch of the central bank.

The project became possible after VP Bank of Liechtenstein and a major law firm moved out. The offices provide space for about 200 work stations.

Fintech Afficionados

The hub is called Trust Square and has been launched by some of Switzerland’s best-known fintech- and crypto-enthusiasts, according to a report by «NZZ» newspaper (report in German). The man behind the move is Daniel Gasteiger, the former bureau chief of UBS Chairman Axel Weber and co-founder of Nexussquare, the fintech firm.

One of the first companies to put up shop on Bahnhofstrasse 3 will be Procivis, the startup founded by Gasteiger. Procivis is developing digital identities based on the blockchain software. Lykke-founder Anton Golub is also part of the bid. The hub furthermore has an agreement with Swiss Fintech Innovation Lab of Thomas Puschmann at University of Zurich. He wants to put his scientists up in the cluster.

Innovation Park Next

The offices will be a temporary solution until the innovation park in Duebendorf is ready. The construction has been delayed, which is why the canton of Zurich is supporting the use of the temporary center for the blockchain cluster.