Once again, a report has emerged from the Swiss Alps about an innovation involving blockchain technology. What is it about? The startup Alethena has chosen to issue shares exclusively via blockchain.
New company uses blockchain as its sole issuance method
It has now happened: this is the first company in Switzerland to issue new shares solely through blockchain rather than using it as an alternative alongside traditional issuance channels. Previously, other firms that issued shares via blockchain used it in addition to the conventional route. Systems like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can be used as complementary tools, but the Swiss advisory startup Alethena has taken the innovative step of issuing securities to shareholders exclusively via blockchain. According to the company’s announcement, nearly 40 shareholders participated in the capital increase, convinced by this approach.
Ethereum serves as the issuance platform
The recently issued shares rely on this approach and are recorded on the Ethereum platform. For shareholders and their new registered shares, this means that a traditional securities account is no longer required. This underscores the practical benefits of Ethereum’s blockchain, which provides the technical foundation for the issuance. Independence from traditional banking systems brings advantages: transfers and trading of shares could become not only faster but significantly cheaper. The startup—part of the Equility group—acknowledges that this path navigates largely unexplored legal territory. The company emphasizes that it will provide shareholders with secure legal frameworks and protections.
Blockchain share trading — a fast and secure route
The company is registered in the commercial register, and the Federal Office granted approval before issuance. Shareholder rights remain the same as for investors who acquire shares through traditional means. A notable benefit of this new approach is the speed: shares can be transferred almost instantly via an app. This capability could enable companies to access equity capital quickly and transparently, streamlining fundraising and improving operational agility.
By relying on a well-established public blockchain like Ethereum, Alethena aims to combine regulatory compliance with the operational efficiencies of tokenized securities. While legal and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, the move highlights how blockchain can modernize equity issuance and shareholder administration. If broadly adopted, tokenized shares could reduce administrative overhead, lower costs associated with custody and settlement, and increase market accessibility for a wider range of investors.
As regulators and market participants monitor these developments, Alethena’s experiment will provide a practical case study on how blockchain-native issuance can function within existing financial and corporate governance structures. The pilot demonstrates potential benefits for speed, transparency and cost-efficiency, while reinforcing the need for clear legal safeguards to protect shareholders and ensure orderly market conduct.