Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association

What Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association does

Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association (TBTA) is a non-profit industry association founded on March 5, 2020 in Lugano, Switzerland, and governed by Articles 60 et seq. of the Swiss Civil Code as an apolitical and non-denominational body. It operates as a regional aggregator for blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) innovation in the Canton of Ticino, connecting universities (SUPSI, USI), research centers, startups, enterprises, public institutions (Città di Lugano, CC-Ti), and investors within a single innovation cluster. Its headquarters and event space are at Via Pietro Peri 21b, 6900 Lugano, relocated in June 2023, and Giacomo Poretti serves as President.

TBTA does not sell a software product. Its core offering is a tiered membership platform—Gold (>5,000 CHF annually), Silver (3,000 CHF), Bronze/Academia (1,000 CHF), and Individuals (500 CHF)—bundled with services including quarterly Think Tank events, an annual ESG meets Blockchain summit, topic-specific workshops (e.g., Tokenizzazione immobiliare, Digital Product Passport), access to academic research, exclusive event evenings for Gold and Silver members, and company domiciliation for qualifying startups at a 50% discount. The association co-develops initiatives such as the #3Achain blockchain project within the Lugano Living Lab and runs a cross-Alpine ecosystem partnership with TrustSquare linking Ticino to Zurich's Crypto Valley.

Revenue is generated through recurring annual membership fees, member donations, and unquantified public/private contributions, with go-to-market executed via an event-driven model: Q1–Q4 Think Tanks, summits, and workshops promoted through LinkedIn and the tbta.ch website, supplemented by referral pipelines from the Ticino Chamber of Commerce and TrustSquare. The association has also positioned itself in Swiss DLT policy, submitting formal positions on FINMA Circular 16/7 and the Federal DLT Ordinance.

Name

Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association

Legal name

Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association

Website

https://tbta.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association (TBTA) is a Lugano-based non-profit industry association founded in 2020 that promotes blockchain and DLT innovation in Ticino, Switzerland through tiered memberships, quarterly Think Tanks, and partnerships linking academia, startups, enterprises, and public institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blockchain Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

RWA Tokenization Platforms (asset onboarding, structuring, issuance) (FSAPAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory Reporting, Tax & Audit Trails (reconciliation, provenance) (FSAPAJAI), Trade Finance & Supply Chain Tokenization (invoices, bills of lading, provenance) (FSAPAIAK), Interoperability & Cross-Chain Infrastructure (Bridges, Messaging, Atomic Swaps) (FSAGAMAI)

Keywords

• Blockchain association
• DLT innovation cluster
• Industry networking events
• Research collaboration
• Membership services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lugano

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from different tiers (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Individuals). The association generates revenue through membership contributions that fund operations, events, and activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TBTA is a non-profit industry association that aggregates blockchain and DLT innovation initiatives in Ticino, Switzerland. It provides tiered membership (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Individual), hosts quarterly Think Tanks and topic-specific summits (e.g., ESG meets Blockchain, Tokenizzazione immobiliare), coordinates research projects such as #3Achain with local universities, and offers start-up company domiciliation services bundled with Bronze membership.

Product overview

TBTA is a non-profit industry association based in Ticino, Switzerland that promotes blockchain and decentralized ledger technology (DLT) innovation. Rather than offering a software product, the association provides membership tiers (Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Individual) with annual fees ranging from 500 to over 5,000 CHF. Services include networking events, quarterly think tanks, access to academic research, companies domiciliation services for start-ups, and exclusive event evenings for premium members. The association connects universities (SUPSI, USI), research centers, private companies, and public institutions within a blockchain innovation cluster centered in Lugano, Ticino.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gold Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Created 3Achain blockchain initiative with Lugano Living Lab, universities (SUPSI, USI), and major local institutions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• TrustSquarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2021Strategic ecosystem partnership connecting Ticino blockchain community with Zurich Crypto Valley. Offers joint initiatives for startups, investors, enterprises, and academia. TBTA members can participate in TrustSquare events in Zurich including Think Tanks, Panel Discussions, Hackathons and conferences.
• SUPSI (Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey academic partner providing Information Systems and Networking Institute. Co-hosts events and provides research collaboration. Active in initiatives like 3Achain blockchain project.
• USI (Università della Svizzera Italiana)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with FinTech & Computer Systems Institute. Collaborates on blockchain research and education initiatives including 3Achain project.
• Città di LuganocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Lugano promotes private blockchain environment, especially for LuganoPoints token management. Active partner in 3Achain and Lugano Living Lab initiatives. TBTA Gold partner.
• Bitcoin SuissemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss crypto-native pioneer providing institutional-grade crypto services. Joined as Silver member in April 2023, upgraded involvement later. Provides expertise and resources to TBTA ecosystem.
• CC-Ti (Camera di Commercio, dell'Industria, dell'Artigianato e dei servizi del Cantone Ticino)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTicino Chamber of Commerce and Industry - TBTA is a member of this umbrella association for Ticino economy. Key institutional partner.
• Exponential Science FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFostering adoption and education of DLT, blockchain, AI, and emerging digital technology.
• Lexify SAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert guidance in banking, financial law, blockchain, compliance, and risk management. Provides tailored solutions for navigating financial and technological complexities.
• Accountify SAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides tailored solutions for accounting and taxation services to TBTA members.
• TokenancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital Product Passport (DPP) solution for product transparency, authenticity, and traceability. EU compliance expertise.
• DigitCosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerServices aimed at enterprises, brands, SMEs and founders for digital transformation journey.
• Copernicus HoldingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 360-degree services across various sectors of portfolio companies.
• Quadrans FoundationsupportingTechnology or IntegrationOpen-source, public, decentralized blockchain infrastructure for Smart-Contracts and dApps.
• Swiss SubnetsupportingTechnology or IntegrationBuilt to redefine digital ownership combining Swiss innovation with blockchain technology.
• EidoosupportingTechnology or IntegrationGateway to Web3 for browsing DeFi dapps, buying NFTs, and storing cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Token).
• Brightnode.iosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTokenomics consulting specialists for SocialFi, NFT, GameFi, Metaverse, DAO, and Ecosystem projects. Joined as Silver member in September 2022.
• EllysupportingTechnology or IntegrationGlobal facilitators of seamless and secure crypto payments.
• Revenue CapitalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery of successful projects built on relationships with local authorities, institutional funders, developers, and landowners.
• EventBoost SAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvents & Ticketing Management Software. Bronze partner providing event organization services.
• MOOV Airways AGsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding an airline for the future. Joined as Bronze member in March 2022.
• Atlantis Strategies SAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides curated insights to navigate the complex world of cryptocurrencies and capitalize on opportunities.
• Bankount SAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCutting-edge company specializing in development of secure solutions for managing digital assets.
• JeluridasupportingTechnology or IntegrationBlockchain software company developing and maintaining Nxt and Ardor blockchains. Joined as Gold member in April 2022.
• Interchain StiftungsupportingTechnology or IntegrationFocus on interoperable blockchain technology of Cosmos Network.
• Digital TechnesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup engineering and selling revolutionary transparent Genomic Ink creating immutable link between physical artwork and digital documentation.
• ElysiumsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides easy and friendly access to decentralized technologies where blockchain assets are interoperable and exchangeable without technological barriers.
• MetablesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Learn to Earn Metaverse - web 3.0 learning metaverse where anyone can build their own school. Joined as Bronze member.
• ESG Center of ExcellencesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent nonprofit research organization dedicated to strengthening prosperity through expert analysis connecting ESG & Blockchain. Founded May 2023, joined as Bronze member.
• Swiss Institute for Alternative ThinkingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational team of innovative experts combining business, economy, law, engineering, technologies, philosophy, psychology for blockchain and crypto research. Joined as Bronze member.
• XMetaRealsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding Metaverses for B2B and B2C including Brand Awareness, Virtual Offices, Events, and Digital Twin Production Processes.
• Superflat SAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationFintech Regtech providing blockchain-based services for financial transactions (OTC).
• Bellatrix SAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombines traditional music publishing strength with innovative ventures in emerging technologies.
• LetzBlocksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit association created to promote the thriving Blockchain ecosystem. Based in Luxembourg.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Hyperledger Foundation: Linux Foundation-hosted community advancing enterprise blockchain and DLT technologies. Thematically adjacent to TBTA's enterprise DLT focus but operates globally as an open-source project host, not a regional industry association.
• Web3 Foundation: Stiftung-based organization funding research and development around decentralized web technologies (Polkadot/Substrate). Thematically adjacent to TBTA's DLT ecosystem mission but operates as a grant-making foundation rather than a regional industry association.

Broad incumbents

• Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC): Global multi-stakeholder blockchain industry body with a broad portfolio of policy, education, and ecosystem programs. Comparable in industry-association function but operates at a global rather than regional scale, making it a broader incumbent in the same category.
• Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA): Member-led industry organization driving open standards and adoption of enterprise-grade Ethereum. Comparable as a blockchain ecosystem convener and standards body, but more focused on a single protocol layer than TBTA's broad DLT mandate.

Direct peers

• Chamber of Digital Commerce: US-based blockchain industry trade association advocating for the digital asset and blockchain industry. Comparable as a non-profit industry body focused on policy advocacy, education, and member services, though operating at much greater scale and in a different regulatory environment.
• Swiss Blockchain Federation: National Swiss blockchain industry association representing blockchain companies and ecosystem stakeholders across Switzerland. Closely comparable to TBTA in mandate (advocacy, networking, education) but operating at a national rather than regional level.
• Blockchain Luxembourg (ALSI): Luxembourg-based non-profit industry association promoting blockchain and DLT adoption. Directly comparable in mission and structure to TBTA, with similar emphasis on convening public-sector, academic, and corporate stakeholders in a small European market.
• Crypto Valley Association / CV Labs: Switzerland's flagship blockchain industry association based in Zug, supporting the broader Crypto Valley ecosystem. Directly comparable to TBTA as a Swiss non-profit industry body convening blockchain companies, investors, and policymakers, but operating at materially greater scale and visibility.
• LetzBlock: Luxembourg non-profit association created to promote the local blockchain ecosystem. Already a supporting partner of TBTA, and structurally identical as a regional blockchain industry association with member-driven governance.

Regional players

• European Blockchain Association: Europe-wide blockchain industry association coordinating policy dialogue and ecosystem events across member states. Comparable to TBTA in mission but operates at a continental rather than Swiss-Italian regional level, and does not directly compete in Ticino.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ticino-blockchain-technologies-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ticino Blockchain Technologies Association