Blockstream selects Ticino for its European headquarters

Blockstream has taken over the Ticino-based firm Elysium Lab. With this acquisition of the digital asset company, the global Canadian blockchain company is opening its European headquarters in Bedano, which is located near to Lugano.

Blockstream is establishing its European headquarters in the Swiss canton of Ticino. According to a press release, the blockchain company has to this end acquired Elysium Lab GmbH, which was founded in 2022 and is based in the district of Lugano. As the press release explains further, the acquisition marks the official launch of Blockstream CH Ltd, Blockstream's new European headquarters and incubator. The company is headquartered in Montreal in the Canadian province of Quebec, with additional North American offices located in Victoria in the Canadian province of British Columbia and Mountain View in the US State of California.

"This move deepens Blockstream's long-term commitment to Switzerland's vibrant fintech landscape and positions the country as a core pillar of Bitcoin infrastructure development in Europe", as the company writes. The integration of Elysium Lab offers Blockstream "immediate access to talent, technology, and a fully operational presence in Switzerland", as Monette Stephens, VP Corporate Development, explains. "This strengthens our position to serve institutional clients and scale our Bitcoin infrastructure offerings across key markets". According to Blockstream co-founder and CEO Dr. Adam Back, this step even contributes to "promoting innovation across Europe"

Following a successful series of events at Plan B Forum in Lugano and the Liquid Development Bootcamp in Viareggio in Italy, Blockstream opened a new research center in Lugano in November 2024. At the time, Blockstream announced grants of 100,000 Swiss francs for developers open to relocating there. As also detailed in the current press release, these incentives reflect the company's "commitment to making Switzerland a global epicenter for Bitcoin innovation".

"Joining Blockstream allows us to contribute to a broader vision of Bitcoin-native infrastructure worldwide, alongside one of the industry's most respected names", comments Aron Clementi, co-founder and CEO of Elysium Lab. "As a Swiss founder, I'm proud to help carry forward our country's long-standing tradition of financial innovation".