Swisscom Blockchain CEO Daniel Haudenschild’s Sudden Departure Sparks Industry Buzz

A Shocking Shift in Swisscom Blockchain Leadership

In a move that left many in the blockchain community scratching their heads, Daniel Haudenschild, the CEO of Swisscom’s blockchain advisory unit, announced his unexpected departure. This surprise announcement was formalized through a press release on Swisscom’s website on January 30.

From Swisscom to Crypto Valley: A Dual Departure?

Coincidentally, or perhaps not, Haudenschild’s sudden exit coincides with his acceptance of the president position at the Crypto Valley Association—just a day apart. When grilled by local media outlet Swissinfo, he insisted that the two events were completely unconnected. This assertion, however, hasn’t dispelled the whispers of intrigue surrounding his double header.

A Future with a Side of Blockchain

In an interesting twist, while Haudenschild leaves Swisscom, he will still hold onto his daughter—uh, we mean, shares—in Swisscom Blockchain. Amidst the haze of inquiries, he kept the future plans close to his chest. He does share, however, a conviction for blockchain’s potential, confidently stating, “It is my fundamental belief that blockchain can fix things that are currently broken, such as financial inclusion and proof of provenance.” Sounds like he’s ready for a crusade!

Who’s the New Captain of the Ship?

With the departure of Haudenschild, all eyes have turned to Roger Wüthrich-Hasenböhler, Swisscom’s current CDO and head honcho of their digital business. He has been tapped to steer the ship as the acting CEO of Swisscom Blockchain. Drawing from Haudenschild’s legacy, Wüthrich-Hasenböhler acknowledged the pivotal role Haudenschild played in embedding blockchain services into the company’s offerings since 2017, highlighting his efforts in making blockchain-based solutions more accessible.

A Growing Trend of Leadership Changes

Haudenschild is not alone in this voyage of change. The blockchain industry has seen its fair share of executive exits lately. Another recent high-profile leaver is Jarrod Dicker, the CEO of blockchain media firm Po.et, who left the firm to seek greener pastures as the vice president of commercial technology and development at the Washington Post. The similarities between these departures suggest that the blockchain sector is not just facing technological innovations but also a shake-up in its leadership.