Swiss canton takes taxes in bitcoin

Switzerland's canton of Zug, home to hedge funds, crypto firms, and commodity traders, will start allowing citizens to pay taxes in Bitcoin and Ether as the acceptance of digital currencies continues to rise.

"Tax settlement using cryptocurrency will be available to both companies and private individuals up to 100,000 Swiss francs ($109,670)," the canton said in a statement on Thursday. The region of about 127,000 people is collaborating with Zug-based broker Bitcoin Suisse AG, which converts the digital currency into francs and transfers the amount to the state.

Zug, which is known for its low corporate taxes, has been accepting Bitcoin payments for certain government services since 2016 and inspired Zermatt's ski resort to do the same.

Crypto firms have gained traction in Switzerland thanks to its favorable regulation and positive attitude toward digital currencies. However, along with their global peers, the country's major banks have so far largely stayed away from offering blockchain-based services to clients as high volatility and security concerns outweighed recent trading booms.

Now, with Bitcoin rallying during the pandemic and experts saying it could even act as an inflation hedge, the industry's bellwethers might change their minds again, according to Bitcoin Suisse founder and Chairman Niklas Nikolajsen.