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Story by Natalia Spivak
On July 30, 2025, Zug lit up with the spirit of innovation as Ethereum turned 10. Ethereum, the pioneering blockchain platform that revolutionized decentralized applications and smart contracts, marked its 10th anniversary with a landmark celebration at SHED, Zug, the birthplace of Crypto Valley. The event brought together Ethereum’s worldwide community, admirers, and developers to reflect on a decade of breakthroughs and chart the path for the platform’s next chapter.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of ETHERLAKEN, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance Ethereum’s scalability, improve user experience, and push the boundaries of what decentralized technology can achieve.
The gathering in Zug was not just a celebration of Ethereum’s achievements over the past decade, but also a reaffirmation of its pioneering spirit — one that continues to inspire innovation, collaboration, and discovery across the globe.
The celebration was held in partnership with AKASHA Foundation, ETHGlobal, Maerki Baumann & Co., Inacta Ventures, and ISP Group. Ecosystem partners included ArtMeta, Blockchain Bundesverband, Canton of Zug, Crypto Valley Association, Ethereum Ecosystem Fund, POAP, STORM Partners, Swiss Blockchain Federation, Trust Square, and Home of Blockchain, each contributing to the success of the event and reflecting the strength of Ethereum’s wider ecosystem.
The anniversary was also co-hosted by Bitcoin Suisse. The latter has a particularly deep connection to Ethereum’s story. In 2013, at just 21 years old, Fabian Hediger co-founded Bitcoin Suisse, which has since grown into Switzerland’s market leader in crypto-financial services. During the early days of Ethereum, Bitcoin Suisse helped clients participate in the original Crowdsale and began trading ETH in 2015. Years later, the company became the world’s largest staking provider at the launch of Ethereum’s beacon chain — a milestone that solidified both Bitcoin Suisse’s and Switzerland’s role at the forefront of global crypto adoption.
At the Zug celebration, Hediger took the stage with a special presentation, reflecting on Bitcoin Suisse’s role in Ethereum’s early days and its continuing impact on the ecosystem. Following his talk, he shared further insights in an interview, offering personal reflections on Ethereum’s 10-year journey.
What was your favorite moment from the anniversary celebration?
Without a doubt, Mihai Alisie’s presentation. Seeing an Ethereum Co-Founder take the stage at the 10-Year Anniversary of Ethereum Mainnet, reflecting on the journey, and then unveiling his new Etherlaken project felt so fitting. He had the whole room leaning in. It was electric.
How did it feel to see the Ethereum community in Zug after 10 years, this time as a global movement? Was there a moment during the celebration that really struck you emotionally?
It’s all really impressive. I remember when it was just a handful of young guys in a small house here in Zug, chasing an idea that most people didn’t understand. As I said during my talk, I thought these guys were either crazy or geniuses. Today, Ethereum’s market value surpasses that of all Swiss banks combined, so fair to say how history answered that one.
Bitcoin Suisse helped Ethereum navigate banking and finance in a time when crypto was viewed with deep suspicion. What do you remember about the early struggles to get Ethereum banked and launched legally?
Back then, counterparties would block transactions without explanation because every wire transfer that had anything to do with crypto was treated like a red flag.
What was it like working with the Ethereum founders in 2014, before anything existed? What made you believe in the project enough to support it?
Their work ethic was incredible. Even late at night, if we stopped by their place, the lights were still on and everyone was deep in discussion or coding. You could see in their eyes that they believed in what they were building, and that energy was contagious.
From your vantage point, what made Switzerland and specifically Zug, the right place to launch Ethereum? Was it legal neutrality, regulatory clarity, or something cultural?
That’s a question best answered by the Ethereum founders themselves, but from my perspective for Bitcoin Suisse, Zug offered the right mix of openness, stability, and international perspective that made big, bold ideas feel possible.
How big of a financial and reputational risk was it for Bitcoin Suisse to support Ethereum at the time? Did you worry it might backfire?
We were a small company of four employees at the time, so the financial and reputational risk wasn’t massive. We helped some clients buy Bitcoin and convert it into ETH for the ICO. Looking back now, it’s amazing how pivotal those simple transactions turned out to be.
In 2014, crypto was a fringe movement. In 2025, it’s drawing interest from governments and global banks. What do you think Ethereum’s success says about how fast that transition happened?
I’m still impressed, and it is remarkable the pace at which Ethereum grew, and the dedication that Vitalik, Mihai, and so many others have continued to pour into the project. It’s not just the speed, it’s the consistency of working on their vision for over a decade.
You’ve been deeply involved in both Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems. How would you describe the philosophical difference between them and has that gap widened or narrowed over the last 10 years?
The extremes have radicalized over the last few years, and we’re seeing more vocal hardliners on both sides now, each ready to criticize the other chain. But I think the silent majority in crypto is still driven by curiosity. They want to see which technologies, which communities, and which governance models will truly stand the test of time.
What do you think Ethereum needs to get right in the next decade to remain the leader in decentralized innovation?
Ethereum became a leader because it was open, collaborative, and relentlessly curious. That same spirit was alive at the 10-year anniversary celebration, and if they can preserve that culture while delivering the scalability and security promised on the tech side, Ethereum will define what decentralized innovation means in the decade ahead.
Looking back, do you feel Bitcoin Suisse’s role in helping Ethereum take its first steps has been fully recognized? Or is the financial infrastructure behind these breakthroughs still underappreciated?
I think most of the OGs in the space know the story of how Bitcoin Suisse helped Ethereum bridge practical aspects like financial services to help them focus on their greater vision. There’s no need to overstate our role in their story, as we treated them as we would treat any client.
If you could go back and give your 2014 self a one-sentence warning or encouragement, what would it be?
We felt at the time that we were on to something special, so I would only tell myself to stay the course.
What does it mean to you personally that this global revolution started just down the street here in Zug?
We hear about these romantic origin stories like Microsoft or Apple starting in their parents’ garage. So, it’s a bit like that walking down these streets in Zug, that one of the biggest technological and financial revolutions of our time was born right here in that ordinary-looking building.
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