Blockstream launched institutional consulting services and established an office in Lugano, Switzerland

Bitcoin infrastructure company Blockstream announced the launch of consulting services for financial institutions and established an office in Lugano, Switzerland. This business enables banks, asset management institutions, and others to directly connect with Blockstream's engineering team and Bitcoin infrastructure. Blockstream Consulting Services will assist institutions in assessing, designing, and implementing Bitcoin-based financial infrastructure, as well as developing related solutions such as tokenized asset issuance and confidential settlements, covering areas such as technology strategy, system architecture, integration, and implementation.

Blockstream stated that the Lugano office will serve Swiss clients, including those in Zurich, Geneva, and Zug, and will act as its European business hub, supporting client relationships, strategic partnerships, and collaboration with local financial and technology communities. The company's Chief Marketing Officer Peter Bain stated that Switzerland has a long-standing banking tradition and a regulatory framework supporting digital assets, making it an important market for Blockstream; the company aims to provide local expertise in markets where it sees demand for Bitcoin infrastructure, and the consulting business along with the Lugano office will bring customized Bitcoin solutions to European financial institutions.

Founded in 2014, Blockstream's business covers Bitcoin custody, settlement, payments, asset issuance, and self-custody, with products including the sidechain Liquid Network, Elements, Simplicity, Core Lightning, Jade hardware wallet, and Blockstream App. The company has launched Simplicity smart contracts on the Liquid network and added Lightning Network support for the Jade hardware wallet. Co-founder and CEO Adam Back stated that the next phase of Bitcoin adoption is to integrate into the existing financial system, and the company's experience in Bitcoin cryptography, protocol development, and engineering can address the related complexities. This announcement did not disclose the pricing of the consulting services, the size of the Lugano office's staff, or the names of clients.