News
Matthias Hafner and Nicolas Greber were awarded first and third place at BBA's 5th Scientific Conference for their research presentations.
Matthias Hafner and Nicolas Greber, two of our blockchain researchers, have made their mark at BBA's 5th Scientific Conference, with first and third place awards for their research presentations.
Matthias explained the recent depeg of the second largest stablecoin USDC and under what conditions stablecoins could lose their value. The paper and slides were created in collaboration with Marco Henriques Pereira, Juan Beccuti and Helmut Dietl.
Nicolas proposed mechanisms for handling liquidity risk using the DeFi lending platform Folks Finance. The paper and slides are the result of joint work with Matthias Hafner, Romain de Luze, Juan Becutti, Benedetto Biondi, Gidon Katten, Michelangelo Riccobene, and Alberto Arrigoni.
More about the British Blockchain Association.
Swiss Economics presents the study "Effectiveness of Corona Measures in Switzerland "
Effectiveness of Corona Measures in Switzerland
Michael Funk presented our study “Effectiveness of Corona Measures in Switzerland” at the 4th Workshop of the Swiss Network on Public Economics (SNoPE). The network aims to strengthen the ties between academics, public administration, the Swiss National Bank and private institutions such as Swiss Economics. This is exactly the intersection we address in almost all of our projects. The study provides important insights into the effectiveness of individual Corona measures in Switzerland. In addition, as the discussion at SNoPE also showed, important lessons can be learned about the opportunities and challenges of empirical evaluation for the public sector. In particular, meeting academic standards and solving non-trivial identification problems while facing time and budget constraints.
In light of the Shanghai update of the Ethereum blockchain, which allows stakers to unstake their ETH, we find it timely to investigate crypto staking in a series of upcoming blog posts.
In our first blog post, we explain the basic terms, economics and mechanisms of staking designs. Later, we compare the staking designs of seven different blockchains.
You can find the whole publication and our new Company Profile on Medium.
Don't hesitate to follow us there to stay updated on our upcoming publications!
Ramon Gmür joins the team as Economist, Romain de Luze promoted to Senior Economist.
Ramon Gmür strengthens our team as an Economist focusing on economic policy, regulatory economics and data analysis. Ramon studied economics, politics and history in his Bachelor's degree at the University of Zurich. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Data Science from the University of Zürich, with a special focus on Econometrics and Statistics. During his studies, he worked several years for two chairs at the University of Zurich. Prior to his studies, he worked for a major Swiss bank and earned the business title “Wirtschaftsfachmann KSZH.
Romain de Luze has been promoted to Senior Economist with a focus on regulation, data analytics and risk management. His areas of expertise include energy, financial services and cryptoassets. Additionally, Romain is involved in the development of Swiss Economics in French-speaking Switzerland and France. He holds a Master’s degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Lausanne and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Berne. Before Swiss Economics, he worked for several years as a quantitative analyst for a reinsurance company in Zurich.
We congratulate both of them and wish them much success and fun in their new activities for Swiss Economics.
Christian Jaag and Samuel Rutz were awarded "Leading Practitioners" by WWL in the category of Competition Economics.
Every year, Who's Who Legal identifies the world's leading competition economists. This year, Swiss Economics is represented twice - by Christian Jaag and Samuel Rutz - in the illustrious circle of "Leading Practitioners" in Europe (EMEA). We would like to thank our clients for the great trust they place in us.
WWL on Christian Jaag and Samuel Rutz:
Christian Jaag of Swiss Economics receives a lot of recognition for his economic expertise. And is described as an expert who "ensures razor-sharp analyses and can explain highly complex issues simply".
Samuel Rutz is described by peers as an outstanding competition economist in Switzerland who brings his experience as former Chief Economist of the Swiss Competition Commission to bear on the concerns of his clients.

What possibilities are there for using Blockchain Technology to make processes in the creation of value with IP more secure, transparent and efficient? A study for the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI).
Intellectual property, for example in the form of patents or copyrights, protects inventors from free riders and thus creates incentives to invest more in research and development and in creative works. IP is also relevant to the rapidly developing field of Blockchain Technology and applications. IPI would like to better assess the current and, more importantly, future demand for IP-services.
As part of this study, we are conducting a survey to which we would like to cordially invite you. The outcome of this survey will be key in shaping the IPI's services related to blockchain and IP. You can participate in the survey until October 31, 2022 over the following link: www.swiss-economics.ch/ip-survey.html.
If you are active in the field of Blockchain and/or IP, we would be delighted to incorporate your opinions, experience and expertise in this study.
We have a new Logo!
Swiss Economics has a new logo. It was designed by Diego Bally and symbolizes our abbreviation "SE". The majority of its components are pointing upwards. The logo represents our development so far and our vision for the next years. Since September, it has decorated our office windows.
The new logo will be rolled out gradually over the next weeks and months. First, we will adapt our web presence, then we will implement it in our documents.
We hope you like it!
Beatrix Marosvölgyi joined our team as an Economist. Her focus lies in environmental and political economics.
Beatrix’s expertise lies in environmental economics, regulatory impact assessments and digital markets. She completed her bachelor's degree in economics at the University of Lucerne and her master's degree at the University of Bern with a focus on environmental economics. Her master's thesis focused on the change in air pollutants due to the aircraft grounding in U.S. airspace after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
During her studies, Beatrix worked for Swiss Post, the Universities of Lucerne and Bern, and Ernst & Young. She joined Swiss Economics in 2022 as an Analyst.
She is proficient in German and English with mother tongue Hungarian.
We wish Beatrix all the best for her future at Swiss Economics.
The Center for Cryptoeconomics partners with proof-of-stake Blockchain Algorand
Swiss Economics' Center for Cryptoeconomics (cryptecon) joins the Partner Program to intensify its services in the Algorand ecosystem. Algorand is a pure proof-of-stake blockchain focused on the convergence between decentralized and traditional finance. A perfect match for cryptecon with its strong expertise in tokenomics and protocol design for DeFi projects. Previously, cryptecon already advised several Algorand projects such as Folks Finance and Pact. We are now looking forward to intensifying our efforts on Algorand and providing our services as a Preferred Partner.
Algorand creates a green Blockchain with strong focus on efficiency and is exclusive Blockchain Partner of FIFA’s Men’s World Cup 2022 and official Sponsor of FIFA’s Women’s World Cup 2023.

More about Algorand.
We are pleased to announce that Nicolas Greber has joined the team as an Economist. His focus is on competition economics and data-driven analysis including artificial intelligence.
Nicolas Greber holds a bachelor's degree in economics with a focus on industrial economics from the University of Bern. He is currently completing his Master's degree in Economics at the University of St. Gallen with a thesis on the impact of artificial intelligence on competition.
How to design a Swiss Innovation Fund?
The Federal Council wants to strengthen Switzerland as a location for start-ups. On June 22, 2022, it made a decision in favour of a Swiss Innovation Fund. This is intended to improve the financing ecosystem of start-ups during the growth phase (to the press release).
In this context, Swiss Economics was commissioned by SECO to conduct a study on the fundamentals of such an Innovation Fund. The focus was on identifying international best practices and evaluating possible governance options for a Swiss Innovation Fund (Swiss Economics report).
Our latest Swiss Economics update elaborates on the opportunities virtual currencies present to the postal sector.
Virtual currencies like Bitcoin are progressively gaining in popularity. However, limited availability still preempts their broad usage. Postal operators with their spatially comprehensive physical presence could play a key role in providing easy, quick and nationwide access to these alternative currencies. The postal network thus constitutes a natural bridge between the virtual and the physical worlds.
Swiss Economics welcomes Dr. Christian Bach as a new staff member!
Christian Bach is a Project Manager with Swiss Economics and lectures at the EpiCenter, Maastricht University. He is an expert in game theory and works in network industries, regulation and on virtual currencies. After his studies of economics and philosophy, he received a Ph.D. in game theory from HEC Lausanne and Maastricht University. Christian Bach was a postdoctoral fellow at Maastricht University, and a visiting scholar at NYU Stern School of Business.
New publication on price regulation and the financing of Universal Service Obligations.
This article explores the complementary roles of price regulation and universal service regulation in network industries The analysis shows that current practices of costing and financing universal services may result in unintended market distortions. The article quantifies these effects and demonstrates how such distortions can be avoided.
Swiss Economics' update for May 2013.
E-commerce is an important growth area for postal operators. In its update, Swiss Economics analyzes and discusses the risks and opportunities associated with maintaining or even extending the regulation of e-commerce.
Three new publications on consumer preferences, termination charges, and social cost of regulation.
How to better measure consumer preferences in the postal market? How to set international parcel termination charges? What is the social cost of regulation in the postal sector? In the recently published book «Reforming the Postal Sector in the Face of Electronic Competition» by Prof. M. Crew and Prof. P. Kleindorfer, three papers by members of Swiss Economics have been included that address these questions.
Presentation at the 2nd European Postal Regulation Forum on the regulation of e-commerce.
Presentation at the 3rd IEEE Smart Grid World Forum on the regulation of smart grids.
Urs Trinkner was asked by the 3rd IEEE Smart Grid World Forum to address the regulation of smart grids in an introduction and a panel discussion.
A presentation by Sonia Strube Martins.
At the 5th Annual Competition and Regulation in Network Industries Conference in Brussels, Sonia Strube Martins presented a paper on Integrated timetables for railway passenger transport services.
A presentation by Christian Jaag.
At the 3rd Annual Trends in Innovation in the Postal Market Conference, Christian Jaag presented a new research paper on the interplay of universal service obligations and patents in network industries.
Swiss Economics contributed new research papers to the 20th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics.
Swiss Economics contributed the following new research papers to the 20th Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics:
- Defining and Financing an Intermodal USO
- Competition and the Social Cost of Regulation in the Postal Sector
- Termination Charges in the International Parcel Market
- Measuring Consumer Preferences for Postal Services
All publications are available here.
Swiss Economics welcomes Dr. Sonia Strube Martins as a new staff member!
Swiss Economics' update for February 2012.
The convergence of physical letter mail and electronic substitutes challenges postal operators and the regulatory framework alike. In its update, Swiss Economics analyzes and discusses the economic context.
A presentation by Christian Jaag.
At the Post-Expo 2011, World Postal Business Forum Christian Jaag gave a presentation on «The role of the universal service obligation in postal competition».
The Review of Network Economics published a new article on the financing of universal service obligations.
The paper «What is an Unfair Burden? Compensating the Net Cost of Universal Service Provision» by Christian Jaag appeared in the Review of Network Economics. It discusses the net cost of universal service obligations and the potential burden they represent on the universal service provider. Specifically, it analyzes the situation in the postal sector after full liberalization.
The paper considers various interpretations of what an unfair burden might be and discusses the competitive impact of corresponding compensation scenarios by means of a stylized theoretical model with endogenous entry and coverage decisions.
Two new presentations on defending markets and adapting the USO in a future-oriented way.
«Defending Mail Markets against New Entrants»
To the slides
«Future of USO - Economic rationale for universal services and implications for a future-oriented definition of universal service obligations»
To the slides
Job opening: Swiss Economics is looking for a passionate and exceptional economist.
Swiss Economics is looking for a passionate and exceptional economist with the capability to apply the most recent microeconomic concepts and to find pragmatic and robust solutions to complex problems. You are aiming at earning a doctorate to deepen your knowledge in industrial and regulatory economics and looking for an exciting career start opportunity in economic consultancy.
We are looking forward to receiving your CV and cover letter.