Blockstream, a global leader in Bitcoin-powered financial infrastructure, has acquired Lugano-based digital asset company Elysium Lab, marking the official launch of Blockstream CH SAGL, its new European headquarters and incubator entity in Switzerland.The acquisition reinforces Blockstream’s strategic expansion within Europe and strengthens its commitment to Switzerland’s fintech sector, positioning the country as a key hub for Bitcoin infrastructure development. Blockstream CH SAGL will serve as an operational hub for European initiatives, collaborating with the Blockstream Lugano Research Center, which launched in November 2024, and the company’s R&D team in Turin, Italy. This network aims to advance Bitcoin-native product development, foster ecosystem engagement, and enhance regional research and development.Dr. Adam Back, CEO and co-founder of Blockstream, stated, “Bringing Elysium Lab into Blockstream strengthens our Swiss presence and amplifies our commitment to nurturing innovation across Europe. This acquisition reinforces our strategic expansion in the region and underscores our role as an ecosystem builder.”To further support ecosystem growth, Blockstream is offering incentives for startups and developers to relocate to Lugano, including CHF 100,000 monetary grants. These incentives, first announced at the 2024 Plan ₿ Forum, encourage building on Blockstream-developed technologies such as the Liquid Network, aiming to establish Switzerland as a global epicenter for Bitcoin innovation.Monette Stephens, VP Corporate Development at Blockstream, commented, “Acquiring Elysium gives us immediate access to talent, technology, and a fully operational presence in Switzerland, one of the world’s leading financial centers. This strengthens our position to serve institutional clients and scale our Bitcoin infrastructure offerings across key markets.”Elysium Lab, founded in 2022 by Aron Clementi (CEO) and Gianmarco Guazzo (CTO), quickly gained recognition within Switzerland’s Bitcoin landscape. Its team of professionals will join Blockstream, contributing to the broader mission of advancing Bitcoin infrastructure and financial innovation.Aron Clementi, Co-Founder and CEO of Elysium Lab, expressed, “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.” Gianmarco Guazzo, Co-Founder and CTO, added, “We built Elysium to bring Bitcoin to the masses. 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.”The transaction also includes the acquisition of patents and intellectual property assets held by Elysium Lab. This move is intended to solidify Blockstream’s role as an ecosystem steward and signals continued investment in Bitcoin-native research and innovation rooted in Europe.Blockstream, founded in 2014, specializes in Bitcoin and blockchain infrastructure. Its offerings include the Liquid Network, a sidechain for secure Bitcoin swap settlements and smart contracts, and Core Lightning, an implementation of the Lightning Network protocol. The company also provides the Blockstream Jade hardware wallet and the Blockstream App, a Bitcoin wallet. Elysium Lab, a Swiss digital asset company based in Lugano, has been part of the Lugano Plan ₿ initiative and USI Startup Centre.