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.
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