The World Economic Forum in Davos is rarely about announcements. Its significance lies in the informal exchanges where political leaders, central bankers, regulators and corporate executives test assumptions against one another. In 2026, those conversations exposed a growing tension between ambition and institutional capacity. Across technology, finance and public policy, expectations of what systems are meant to deliver increasingly outpaced what organisations are able to govern, integrate and explain.
In the 18th century, a pastor named Benjamin Gottlob emigrated from Lower Lusatia (the German part of Poland) to Switzerland. In Geneva, his son Henri Hentsch apprenticed at Develay & Cie and was later employed by Picot, Fazy & Cie, engaged in the manufacturing of assorted fabrics, money-changing, and banking. However, after being detained in a French revolution and exiled to Nyon, Henri first began to engage in silk trading.
Swiss neutrality, a widely recognised concept, remains largely unfamiliar to many individuals. In the text, we will delve into the essence of neutrality and explore its potential transformation in light of recent global developments.
Managing wealth becomes increasingly complex. Besides a growing variety of investment opportunities, clients more and more pursue best-in-class solutions, leading to an increasing number of stakeholders. For service providers like wealth managers and family offices, reducing complexity for their clients is key to distinguishing themselves and strengthening their client relationships.
As recently as last year, most Swiss industrial companies were doing brilliantly. The economy grew more strongly than calculated; the real gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 2.6%, according to the national accounts. This year, however, will be more difficult.
168 billion Swiss francs is the amount that the Swiss National Bank (SNB) had to lend Credit Suisse in mid-March 2023, at the height of the banking crisis. This was the only option to prevent the collapse of the once-second largest Swiss bank. The SNB provided a substantial portion of this liquidity assistance without receiving collateral from Credit Suisse. Therefore, in the event of bankruptcy, the Swiss taxpayer could have also lost billions.
Taftie brings together Europe's premier national innovation agencies. Innosuisse will assume the President for one year commencing in January 2024. Learn more about Taftie and what it implies in the context of collaboration with Innosuisse.
It takes only half an hour to get from one end of the country to the other. In Liechtenstein, there are castles and palaces, nature and mountains, history and action—all this in a compact 160 square kilometres, home to approximately 38.000 people. The country's GDP per capita is USD 172.600, making it one of the highest in the world.
As far as cryptocurrencies are concerned, Switzerland is becoming an incubator for innovation. In the canton of Zug, entrepreneurs can use Bitcoin to pay their taxes up to 1.5 million Swiss francs, and the Zuger government has pledged 39 million francs for a blockchain research center. The other cantons do not want to draw the shorter one: as the first state bank, the Luzerner Kantonalbank (LUKB) intends to offer trading in cryptocurrencies.
Karin Keller-Sutter, the Finance Minister responsible for the merger of two major Swiss banks, UBS and Credit Suisse, and thus one of the most significant financial decisions in Europe over the past decade, is credited with the merger. Let's now examine the woman responsible for these decisions.
In a relatively small country like Switzerland, there are a variety of tax rates. They are dependent on each canton. However, the OECD minimum tax measure adopted by a referendum in June 2023 could lead to an undesirable tightening of tax competition within the country.
What criteria are important for an investor? Zug, Basel-Stadt, and Zurich remain the most attractive cantons in Switzerland. However, due to the introduction of the OECD minimum tax, there are changes in lower places in the ranking.
In 2015, the digital currency Ethereum was founded here; eight years later, Zug is at the top of the world's best cryptohubs. Singapore, London, Seoul, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi followed.
Switzerland has long been revered as a powerhouse in the world of chocolate. Its reputation as a producer of high-quality chocolates is well established, and it is home to several internationally recognised brands. With a strong domestic market and a thriving export industry, Switzerland has solidified its position as one of the largest chocolate exporters in the world. In this article, we explore the factors that have contributed to the success of Swiss chocolate, from its pioneering history to its commitment to sustainability.
Water is one of the most important raw materials on earth and is essential for our survival. However, with the increasing drought, some difficulties may arise with the water supply. According to the Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland's water reserves are sufficient. Groundwater supplies 80% of drinking water, while the rest comes from lakes. Despite low conditions, there is still sufficient water in the significant groundwater sources. However, in times of drought, bottlenecks can occur in smaller local groundwater resources and springs. Therefore, calls are often made to conserve water during these periods.
For more than 30 years, the IMD World Competitiveness Centre has conducted research on how nations and enterprises compete to lay the foundations for future prosperity. In the 2023 ranking, Denmark, Ireland, and Switzerland have been named the top three among 64 economies measured for their global competitiveness.
The financial industry in Switzerland employs more than 200,000 people and generates close to 10% of the nation's total employment. It is essential that the whole financial system as well as the clients of the financial market are adequately secured. In Switzerland, this is the responsibility of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
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Especially in 2021 and 2022, we heard a lot about the so-called microchips. They are needed in industry, in the automotive sector or in technology. But what are they actually needed for, and are they essential for the functioning of electrical devices and machines? Here are the answers to these questions and more information about microchips.
Estate planning is an ongoing process that requires regular review and adjustment to reflect changes in personal circumstances, tax laws and financial goals. In this article, we delve into the realm of estate planning for high-net-worth individuals with minor children, exploring key strategies to preserve wealth, minimise tax burdens and ensure the future of their offspring.
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Should I look for original packaging? The more original items you can get, the better. This includes the original box and the watch’s papers. However, these items are not essential to authenticate the watch if you are buying it from a certified dealer. But they are certainly nice to have. For some watches original packaging […]
