The language of the crypto community

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The crypto industry of Zug is the most thoroughly English-speaking sector of the canton. Its founders and developers come from all over the world, its documentation is written in English, its conferences are held in English and its online communities communicate in English. Many members of the crypto community do not speak German at all, and some do not live in Zug permanently but spend part of the year there. The industry's terminology is English. Many of its terms have been adopted unchanged into German and other languages: token, wallet, staking, smart contract, blockchain.

The industry's English-speaking character has shaped the way the Swiss authorities deal with it. FINMA's guidance on tokens was published in English from the start. The Crypto Valley Association works in English. Lawyers who advise the industry work almost entirely in English, although they file documents with the commercial register and the tax administration in German. The Zug authorities have adapted their communication to reach the industry, for example by publishing information on the tax treatment of crypto-assets in English. The crypto industry has thus accelerated the entry of English into the canton's public institutions.

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

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Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

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