Interview with Roland Cortivo, Chief Revenue Officer at Swisscom for Enterprise Blockchain 2021 report by LeadBlock Partners
-
Can you introduce Swisscom and what brought the company to launch blockchain products?
“Swisscom is one of the most innovative and sustainable companies in Switzerland. Swisscom offers mobile telecommunications, fixed network, Internet and digital TV solutions for business and residential customers. We are also one of the largest providers of IT services in Switzerland, and are also active in the banking, energy, entertainment, advertising and healthcare sectors.
In fact, it was our track record of banking services which lead us to look at digital assets in 2015. Today, Swisscom Blockchain offers enterprise blockchain services and infrastructure for blockchain applications. We thus facilitate the establishment of blockchain-based business models.”
-
What are the main products which you have launched?
“Swisscom has been investing in blockchain technology since 2016 as a core element of the future basic infrastructure. For example, Swisscom operates a secure and sustainable infrastructure for companies based on Hyperledger Fabric. This year, we just launched a blockchain-based Electronic Seal for companies that can guarantee tamper-proof data, e.g. a watch certificate, and the Green Coin, a digital Swiss Franc, designed as an earmarked stablecoin for sustainable products and services.
Together with partner companies, Swisscom is building a comprehensive ecosystem for digital assets, including the following start-ups:
- Daura offers unlisted companies a platform for the digital share register, the issue of securities tokens and the holding of a virtual general meeting.
- Custodigit offers a technical solution for the custody and management of digital assets for regulated financial services institutions.”
-
How have you seen appetite evolving from your corporate customers?
“The hype surrounding blockchain technology has given rise to over-optimistic expectations here in Switzerland too. Companies are now aware of the technology and consider it realistic for specific business cases. The financial sector is at the forefront of this. The benefits offered by blockchain, such as cost effectiveness, security and transparency, support its use. However, a few issues remain to be resolved before it is adopted more widely, including interoperability, standardisation, scalability and energy consumption.”
-
How do you work with start-ups in the blockchain space?
“Swisscom elaborates joint initiatives with an open innovation approach, partnering with start-ups for proof of concepts and investing in promising ventures like Fireblocks.”
