Switzerland's original crypto founder revealed plans to naturalize in the alpine nation, after breaking ground on the more than $35 million renovation of a Zug landmark planned as his family's seat.
Niklas Nikolajsen on Monday broke ground (pictured below) at St. Karlshof or Salesianum, a late 18th century lake home in Zug he bought two years ago. The bitcoin millionaire is spending more than $35 million on a two-year restoration of the estate to its original Belle Époque luster, he said on Facebook.
The Danish software architect and developer also revealed he is applying for Swiss citizenship, together with his wife, Anna-Christine Cath Nikolajsen. The duo will drop their Nordic name in favor of «von Karlhof,» reminiscent of the aristocratic history of their new home, when they become Swiss, Nikolajsen said.
(Image: Niklas Nikolajsen, Bitcoin Suisse)
Nikolajsen, who founded Bitcoin Suisse seven years ago in Zug, faces a 12-year continuous residency requirement to clinch a passport – the longest in Europe. He plans to move into the Salesianum by Christmas in 2022 and «I vow to host there, as long as I live, the greatest National Day (Bundesfeiertag) celebrations in central Switzerland,» he said.
Anna-Christine Cath and Niklas Nikolajsen (Image: Niklas Nikolajsen, Bitcoin Suisse)
Rich History In Family Seat
The Salesianum has a rich history: a chapel on the grounds devoted to Charles Borromeo, a key figure of the Counter-Reformation, dates back to 1615. Nikolajsen plans to keep the chapel, which includes an altarpiece depicting Jesus casting out banker from the Temple Mount, accessible to the public after a refurbishment.
A self-styled crypto pirate, Nikolajsen is no stranger to bold shows of his crypto wealth: Bentley customized its signature «Flying 'B'» mascot into a bitcoin symbol for him. The Zug groundbreaking came shortly before bitcoin decimated the $20,000 per coin mark for the first time ever.
