UBS, PostFinance, Sygnum and others launched a 2026 sandbox to test Swiss franc stablecoin use cases and blockchain payment rails in Switzerland. UBS, PostFinance, Sygnum, Raiffeisen, Zürcher Kantonalbank, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise and Swiss Stablecoin AG have launched a sandbox to test use cases for a Swiss franc stablecoin in Switzerland. Announced on Wednesday, the initiative will allow participating banks to test selected fanc stablecoin use cases in what the partners described as a secure digital live environment or sandbox. The group said the project is intended to build experience in handling digital payment methods. The sandbox will be conducted in 2026, with Swiss Stablecoin AG providing the issuance infrastructure. The project is also open to other banks, companies and institutions that want to take part. Read more
Backchannel diplomatic efforts by Pakistan appear to have finally paid off, as the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire after weeks of escalating hostilities triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28 that quickly spiralled into a wider regional conflict. During this time, the crisis has unfolded through a mix of military escalations, retaliatory attacks, and behind-the-scenes negotiations, with failed ceasefire proposals and last-minute mediation all shaping the path to this vital breakthrough. Here is a timeline of the key events and statements that defined the conflict: February 28 The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran via air and sea: a series of blasts in Tehran, including near the residence of the supreme leader. A US-Israel airstrike on an elementary school in southern Iran killed more than 170 people, most of them schoolgirls. In retaliation, Iran attacked at least seven Gulf states, striking civilian infrastructure, damaging airports in the UAE and Kuwait, deploying a dron...
Will quantum-safe cryptography slow Ethereum? It is likely to affect gas fees, validator load and network efficiency, prompting Ethereum to pursue a broader redesign strategy. Ethereum relies on cryptographic systems that remain secure against classical computers. However, sufficiently advanced quantum machines could one day break these systems, potentially exposing private keys and putting billions of dollars in value at risk. Ethereum’s post-quantum initiative sends a clear message: there is no immediate threat, yet delaying action is not an option. Upgrading a global, decentralized network is a complex, multiyear effort that requires: Read more