ChainTech Africa

Monte Carlo, May 2025

At the Top Marques 2025 luxury fair in Monte Carlo, amid the glamour of supercars and high-end innovation, Guido Buehler stood out—not for what he wore or drove, but for the ideas he championed. Present at an event hosted by zondacrypto, a blockchain-based exchange operating across multiple global markets, Buehler was there not just as a guest, but as a Board Member of the company since October 2023.

A veteran of traditional banking and a central figure in Switzerland’s blockchain evolution, Buehler has spent the last decade reimagining finance through a technological lens. Known as one of the “godfathers” of Crypto Valley—Switzerland’s globally recognized blockchain hub—he brings a unique blend of institutional rigor and entrepreneurial drive to the decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape.

A Journey From UBS to Blockchain Frontlines

Buehler’s story begins in conventional finance. His early career was rooted in UBS, where he started as a Junior Trader and rose over 11 years to become Managing Director for the Asset Servicing business. Even then, he was already experimenting with technology—using early IT systems like Lotus to analyze the bank’s portfolio positions and profitability.

“I was fascinated by how technology could disrupt legacy processes,” Buehler recalls. His curiosity led him deeper into foreign exchange derivatives and tech-driven financial solutions.

Eventually, he left UBS to establish a family office, investing in cutting-edge technologies. It was in 2017 that blockchain caught his attention—an inflection point that would define his next chapter.

Founding Switzerland’s First Crypto Bank

As blockchain gained momentum, Buehler became instrumental in founding Seba Bank—now known as Amina Bank—Switzerland’s first licensed crypto bank. His role was pivotal: within just three months, he raised 100 million CHF, and within eleven months, secured a full banking license and launched the bank.

“It was a sprint, very start-up like,” Buehler says. “What drew me in was the natural fit between finance and blockchain. It was the beginning of the ‘internet of value’—a way to directly connect services and users, cutting out intermediaries.”

The Blockchain Architect, Not the Evangelist

Today, Buehler describes himself as a technology architect, someone focused on practical transformation rather than philosophical idealism. His involvement with zondacrypto reflects this, where he provides strategic insight and positioning, helping the platform scale its offerings and visibility across markets.

He’s also part of the Swiss Blockchain Federation, which recently released a Manifesto calling for stronger collaboration between government, regulators, and innovators to reestablish Switzerland’s blockchain leadership.

“The potential of blockchain lies in fractionalization and decentralization,” Buehler explains. “Tokenizing real assets—like real estate—allows both large and small investors to participate equally. That’s true democratization of finance.”

Global Projects with Local Impact

Beyond zondacrypto, Buehler is also involved in impactful startups:

• Swica: A blockchain-based micro-savings platform active in Sri Lanka, designed to help individuals with modest disposable income build wealth gradually.

• Lake Pavilion: A real estate and development venture merging minimalist design, wellness, and technology. Collaborating with Molteni and Enea, it aims to create holistic living and working spaces.

These ventures align with Buehler’s belief that blockchain isn’t just a financial innovation—it’s a social and structural tool for equity and inclusion.

A Call for Real Adoption, Not Speculation

Despite the growing market interest in crypto, Buehler is clear-eyed about the sector’s risks. “We must move from speculation to adoption,” he says. “Infrastructure players must raise their game. The temptation to chase fast money can’t overshadow the true power of this tech.”

It’s a message echoed by other leading voices in the industry, such as Yat Siu of Animoca Brands, who advocate for a balanced regulatory approach that fosters both innovation and integrity.

In the end, Buehler’s message is one of purpose: blockchain is too valuable a tool to be used for shortcuts. Its strength lies in building systems that are open, efficient, and inclusive—principles that first drew him to the technology and that still guide him today.