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Swiss Bank Lukb To Accept Btc And Eth As Loan Collateral
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Swiss Bank LUKB to Accept BTC And ETH as Loan Collateral

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In its recent policy update, Swiss Bank Luzerner Kantonalbank (LUKB) announced that it will allow clients to pledge Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as collateral for loans. The bank first added trading and custody services for cryptocurrencies last May. 

According to a report by Finews, LUKB is taking the first step toward using cryptocurrencies in the lending business with this move. It will help the company grow and ensure that the whole value chain of digital assets is always integrated.

“We are responding to market developments and client needs,” said Serge Kaulitz, Head of Blockchain & Digital Assets at LUKB. “Cryptocurrencies have become a recognized and highly liquid asset class. Similar to equities or funds, they can serve as collateral for a Lombard loan, since they can be liquidated at any time.”

The digital business will also help in expanding LUKB’s portfolio by giving it more options as interest rates go down. This income stream that doesn’t come from interest is becoming more important. Kaulitz stresses that the digital business is also meant to help the bank improve its digital services across the entire institution. 

Moving towards crypto-based banking

Switzerland is becoming a pioneer in digital asset-based banking. Early this year, the state-owned bank, PostFinance, announced that it had included an Ethereum staking option in its banking offerings. 

Additionally, last week, Swiss banks made a big move that could change how money moves between banks. In a trial led by the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), top banks like UBS, PostFinance, and Sygnum Bank completed the first-ever bank payment on a public blockchain with full legal approval. 

Also Read: Ethereum Exchange Supply Hits 9-Year Low Amid Institutional Surge



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Bitcoin, gold, Swiss franc vie for safe haven status as US dollar falters

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The ongoing economic and geopolitical tensions have fueled demand for safe-haven assets, with Bitcoin, gold, and the Swiss franc being in the driver’s seat. 

While Bitcoin’s (BTC) price has pulled back recently, it remains much higher than the year-to-date low. Also, Bitcoin ETFs continue to add assets this year, with their cumulative inflows rising by $54 billion since January last year. 

Summary

  • Bitcoin, gold, and the Swiss franc have jumped this year.
  • The US dollar index has plunged by over 10% from the year-to-date high.
  • The three assets have become safe-haven assets amid heightened risks.

Geopolitical and economic risks are high

The U.S. economy shows signs of stagflation as consumer and producer inflation continue rising. The year-over-year U.S. consumer inflation rate (CPI) grew from 2.4% in June to 2.7% in July. The core CPI, excluding food and energy, accelerated to 3.1%.

U.S. job growth is also slowing, according to data released on Friday. The economy added just 22,000 jobs in August, while the unemployment rate moved to 4.3% — the highest level since the pandemic. 

Economists expect that the upcoming inflation report will show that the headline consumer price index rose to 3% in August, continuing a trend that has been going on for months.

Therefore, economists expect the Fed to cut interest rates by 0.25% in the upcoming meeting. Cutting rates in a stagflation risks pushing inflation higher in the coming months.

Demand for safe-haven assets has also jumped as trade relations between the U.S. and other countries worsen. For example, India is reportedly aligning itself with China due to the Trump administration’s tariffs.

The other significant risk has been the threat to Federal Reserve independence. Trump has considered firing Fed chair Jerome Powell, and has recently fired Lisa Cook in his bid to achieve lower interest rates.

Bitcoin, Swiss franc, and gold have soared

BTC, gold, and Swiss franc | Source: crypto.news

These risks explain why the U.S. dollar index has plunged, moving from the year-to-date high of $110 in January to $97.73 today. 

At the same time, the gold price has recently surged to a record high as ETFs have added substantial inflows in the past few months. China’s central bank has bought gold in the last eleven consecutive months, bringing its holdings to $74 million troy ounces. Goldman Sachs analysts see the gold price hitting $5,000.

The Swiss franc has also become a safe haven as it surged by 13% against the U.S. dollar. Investors love the low-yielding franc because of Switzerland’s stability, neutrality, and low public debt. 



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