BTCX in the Swedish Parliament

“Sweden risks falling behind - it’s time to act.”

That was the central message as Blockchain Sweden hosted a seminar in the Swedish Parliament this week, invited by Member of Parliament Oliver Rosengren. The topic: Is Sweden lagging in blockchain development, and what can we do about it?

The fact that blockchain and Bitcoin are now being discussed in the Swedish Parliament is a major step forward. For years, many public institutions and banks have adopted a cautious, sometimes openly hostile, approach to the sector. But now, the conversation is being taken seriously in the heart of Swedish politics.

Christian Ander: “It’s an opportunity - not a threat”

BTCX CEO Christian Ander participated in the seminar, stressing that Sweden must not only regulate the blockchain market - we must also enable and support its growth. In Sweden today, it’s nearly impossible for Bitcoin and blockchain-related companies to open a basic bank account, creating an environment where innovation is driven out of the country.

“The Financial Supervisory Authority takes an activist stance toward the industry, repeatedly highlighting risks without being able to explain what those risks actually are”

He also outlined practical use cases where Bitcoin is becoming increasingly relevant, while Swedish regulators continue to turn a blind eye to its potential.

Barriers, but also potential

Henrik Hjelte, CEO of Chromaway, painted a vivid and at times humorous picture of the absurdity of today’s banking climate for blockchain businesses. The message was clear: this is a real, systemic problem that requires political attention.

Strong voices also from the audience

Although not on the official panel, Ebba Theding, CEO of 4+Ventures, delivered one of the seminar’s most powerful takeaways. She emphasized that blockchain can not only drive innovation in Sweden but also strengthen the country’s resilience in an increasingly volatile global economy.

The panel was once again entirely male, but several women were present in the audience, a reminder that diverse perspectives are vital for any meaningful and sustainable tech development.

BTCX is proud to have been part of this important conversation and we extend our sincere thanks to Oliver Rosengren for an initiative that was both necessary and timely.