Culture
Nov 5, 2023

Celebrating 5 Years of Revolutionizing Finance: A Journey from Zurich to Global Markets

21.co celebrates five years of innovation and perseverance in bridging the gap between traditional finance and the world of cryptocurrencies.

Today, we are overjoyed to celebrate a momentous occasion marking not just a five-year milestone, but a journey of innovation and perseverance. It's hard to believe it was five years ago, in 2018, we embarked on a mission to reshape the financial landscape through investment opportunities backed by digital assets. From our humble beginnings in Switzerland, we have come a long way to establish ourselves as a global player in the asset management space, onchain and offchain.

Vision:

Our vision has always been clear - to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the world of cryptocurrencies. We believe cryptocurrencies are the future of finance, and our mission is to provide everyone, from seasoned investors to newcomers, with easy access to this transformative asset class. Afterall, it all started with a clear goal to make sure it was easy enough for people like our own parents to navigate and understand.  

Looking ahead, we see a future where digital asset investment vehicles are a mainstream option, seamlessly integrated into traditional financial portfolios. We envision a world where blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are not just assets, but catalysts for positive change, empowering individuals to take control of their financial destinies.

Values:

We've always believed in doing right by all of you - our employees, partners, community of investors and trusted stakeholders. At the core of our vision lies a set of values that have guided us every step of the way:

  • Be daring not reckless
  • Be customer-centric
  • Be an owner, win or lose

One thing that has remained paramount, is our goal to provide accessible, secure and reliable digital asset management opportunities, while staying true to our mission to innovate, challenge the status quo and set new industry standards. As we look ahead to the future, we remain committed to you, our vision and our values.

Milestones:

Our journey has been filled with remarkable milestones, each one bringing us closer to our vision of making crypto investments accessible to a global audience. Here are a few key highlights from our five-year journey:

  • Leading as Industry Pioneers: In 2018, we launched the world's first crypto ETP, providing traditional investors with a convenient and regulated way to enter the crypto market. This was a groundbreaking moment setting the stage for our continued success. Since then, we’ve become the largest crypto ETP issuer and initiated several industry-leading projects, most recently announcing the launch of our Wrapped Tokens, a key breakthrough moment in the sector.
  • Major Global Market Expansion: While we started in Zurich, we quickly realized the demand for digital asset management was not confined to Switzerland alone. Over the years, we have expanded our reach to major global markets, including the rest of Europe, other parts of EMEA, and soon the U.S. - a key market for our growth and continued success.
  • Continuous Innovation: Our commitment to staying at the forefront of the crypto industry has been unwavering. We've constantly pushed the boundaries of innovation, introducing a diverse range of products. Today, our product lines have expanded significantly and are tailored for a variety of market-specific investor needs across the globe.

Celebration:

As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our employees, investors, partners, and the crypto community. Your trust and support have been instrumental in our success. To mark this occasion, we are excited to announce a series of events and initiatives in the coming year, including projects that are:

  • Education Driven: With a profound emphasis on research-focused content and programming, we have become a go-to resource in the industry. Our team of researchers are driven by a relentless commitment to education and are the leading voice in the ever-evolving world of crypto, allowing us to deliver cutting-edge insights and knowledge to our community. We've also initiated dynamic internship programs designed to nurture and bring more talent into the crypto space, ensuring a brighter future for our industry. In addition, we've become a leading voice in regulatory affairs, providing invaluable insights into the developing state of crypto, helping shape the future of our industry.
  • Carbon Conscious: From day one, we have been committed to making a global impact while being environmentally conscious. Our journey began with a clear vision, one that included a carbon-neutral approach to our operations. For half a decade, we have tirelessly worked towards this goal, making us one of the leaders in the industry to achieve carbon neutrality. But we won’t stop there - our commitment to the environment extends to exploring other ESG initiatives that promote sustainability, including proudly supporting a PHD student who is delving into the intricate dynamics of sustainability in this progressing field. Overall, we are dedicated to driving innovation while remaining carbon conscious and contributing to a greener, more sustainable future for all.
  • Community Focused: From the very beginning, we've aimed to create a thriving ecosystem bringing together individuals from all walks of life. Through external partnerships and collaborations, we've organized countless events and programming initiatives that have not only educated and inspired, but have also built connections and driven progress. In these five years, we've emerged as a leading voice in the crypto space, advocating for transparency, innovation, and inclusivity. We've always believed our impact goes beyond numbers and charts – it's about the people who make this industry vibrant and dynamic.

In conclusion, our journey has been nothing short of remarkable. As we reflect, we are filled with gratitude. As we look forward, we are filled with determination. We are excited about the possibilities the future holds and remain steadfast in our mission to revolutionize finance by bridging the gap between TradFi and DeFi. 

Thank you for being a part of our journey, and here's to many more years of success and innovation!

Onwards & Forward,

Hany & Ophelia, 21.co