Atupri Health Insurance, a major Switzerland health insurer, has announced that they now offer payment options in crypto. The Swiss insurer has partnered with crypto financial services company, Bitcoin Suisse, to allow its 200,000 policyholders to make payments using either Bitcoin or Ethereum.
The health insurer will not hold or directly receive any crypto at this point. Instead, the company will receive the Swiss Franc equivalent of any cryptocurrency paid by its policyholders. Bitcoin Suisse will then convert the Ether or Bitcoin payment to fiat, and transfer it to Atupri.
Bitcoin Suisse was founded in 2013 and is one of the largest cryptocurrency service providers in Switzerland, currently holding over $1 billion worth of assets in custody.
Caroline Meli, head of marketing and sales stated:
“As digital pioneers in the health sector, we anticipate social trends and offer insurance solutions with long-term prospects. Blockchain technology and the associated use of cryptocurrencies will become increasingly important. Accordingly, we want to offer the necessary structures for our policyholders.”
Switzerland is regarded as one of the most crypto-friendly locations in the world. In Switzerland, crypto is a widely accepted means of payment in a growing number of businesses. Recently, the Swiss municipality of Zermatt started facilitating a Bitcoin tax payment option in collaboration with Bitcoin Suisse. The country is home to many blockchain startups including the Ethereum Foundation, based in Zug. Zug is often referred to as “Crypto Valley”.
Feature image by anncapictures from Pixabay
