Zug
Crypto Valley: 719 blockchain companies (41% of Swiss total) including Ethereum Foundation since 2014—11.85% corporate tax and zero capital gains created world's #1 crypto hub ranking.
Zug Canton created "Crypto Valley"—a branding success that transformed a small canton into global blockchain hub. The concept emerged in 2013; Ethereum Foundation's 2014 establishment by 20-year-old Vitalik Buterin catalyzed growth. By 2024, 1,749 active crypto firms operated in the broader valley, with Zug holding 41% (719 companies). Nine cryptocurrency unicorns call Switzerland home.
Tax advantages anchor the attraction: 11.85% corporate rate (Switzerland's lowest), zero capital gains tax for private investors, just 0.125% wealth tax on crypto holdings. FINMA's clear regulatory guidelines ensure compliance without stifling innovation.
Crypto-friendly banking reaches unique density: Sygnum, SEBA, and Maerki Baumann serve clients that traditional banks rejected. CoinDesk ranked Zug first globally in 2023 Crypto Hubs, ahead of Singapore, London, Seoul, and Dubai.
Zug's historical low-tax positioning (predating crypto) attracted commodity trading companies; blockchain represents the latest industry to exploit favorable conditions. The pattern—regulatory clarity + low taxes + talent access—creates formula that other jurisdictions attempt replicating without matching success.