Blockstream has acquired Swiss-based digital asset company Elysium Lab and launched Blockstream CH SAGL, a new entity that will serve as its European headquarters and incubator.
Big news from Switzerland 🇨🇭
We’ve acquired Elysium Lab (@ElysiumLab_io) and launched our new Blockstream European HQ in Lugano.
This expands our presence in Europe and deepens our commitment to building Bitcoin infrastructure across the region.
🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Oy5fAG217v
— Blockstream (@Blockstream) July 21, 2025
The move expands the company’s operational footprint in Switzerland and formalizes its presence in the region.
“Bringing Elysium Lab into Blockstream strengthens our Swiss presence and amplifies our commitment to nurturing innovation across Europe,” said Dr. Adam Back, Blockstream’s CEO and co-founder.
“This acquisition reinforces our strategic expansion in the region and underscores our role as an ecosystem builder.”
The acquisition follows Blockstream’s November 2024 establishment of the Lugano Research Center.
Blockstream CH SAGL will coordinate regional efforts in collaboration with the Lugano Research Center and the company’s R&D team in Turin.
These locations will support research, product development, and cross-border collaboration focused on Bitcoin-related technologies.
Blockstream is also introducing a CHF 100,000 grant program to encourage startups and developers to build on its technology platforms, including the Liquid Network.
The grants were first announced at the 2024 Plan ₿ Forum and are intended to incentivize relocation and development in Lugano.
“Acquiring Elysium gives us immediate access to talent, technology, and a fully operational presence in Switzerland, one of the world’s leading financial centers,” said Monette Stephens, VP of Corporate Development.
“This strengthens our position to serve institutional clients and scale our Bitcoin infrastructure offerings across key markets.”
The agreement includes the addition of Elysium Lab’s team and intellectual property to Blockstream’s operations.
Elysium Lab was founded in 2022 by Aron Clementi and Gianmarco Guazzo and has been involved in Switzerland’s digital asset sector.
“Joining Blockstream allows us to contribute to a broader vision of Bitcoin-native infrastructure worldwide, alongside one of the industry’s most respected names. As a Swiss founder, I’m proud to help carry forward our country’s long-standing tradition of financial innovation,” said Clementi.
“We built Elysium to bring Bitcoin to the masses,” Guazzo added. “Becoming part of Blockstream lets us take that work further, and on a much larger scale with a team whose technical leadership and mission closely align with our own.”
Blockstream stated that the acquisition is part of its ongoing effort to expand research and development activities related to Bitcoin infrastructure within Europe.