In January 2025, the Swiss Financial Innovation Desk (FIND) announced the release of Pathway 2035 for Financial Innovation – Your Navigator, a guide designed to steer financial and fintech leaders toward a resilient future.

Inspired by the “Finternet” concept introduced by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in April 2024, the Pathway 2035 guide explores four transformative themes shaping the financial landscape: artificial intelligence (AI), digital assets, digital trust and quantum-safe technologies.
By addressing the opportunities and challenges posed by these innovations, Pathway 2035 sparks the dialogue for progress without compromising security or trust.
Origins and Collaborative Development
Pathway 2035 builds on the BIS working paper Finternet: The Financial System for the Future, co-authored by A. Carstens and N. Nilekani, which envisioned an interconnected and inclusive financial ecosystem.
FIND expanded on these ideas through collaboration with global experts, integrating their feedback into a forward-looking thesis-statement and discussion guide that reflects Switzerland’s thought leadership in blending traditional finance with cutting-edge technology.

During the ReDesigning Financial Innovation event hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore the 5th of November 2024, FIND presented and discussed a draft version of the guide with peers and industry specialists. Insights from these discussions were reviewed and consolidated into the final publication.
Now, let’s delve into the four transformative pillars shaping the future of finance.
1) Artificial Intelligence: The Brain of Tomorrow’s Financial System
AI is transforming financial services through greater efficiency, personalisation and resilience. Adoption varies around the world: the U.S. prioritises rapid innovation, the EU emphasises ethics and accountability and China ensures tight state control.
Swiss-led initiatives like ICAIN (International Computation and AI Network) highlight AI’s potential to democratise resources and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through global collaboration, AI can unlock unprecedented opportunities for financial institutions and consumers alike.
2) Digital Assets: A Borderless Economy
Digital assets are revolutionising how value is stored and transferred, offering continuous access to capital while bypassing traditional barriers. From cryptocurrencies to tokenized assets and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), blockchain and other Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) are at the core of these innovations.

However, ecosystem fragmentation remains a challenge. Unified ledger systems, bridging public and private networks, offer scalable and transparent solutions. As decentralised finance (DeFi) expands, robust regulatory frameworks will be essential to fostering trust and innovation.
3) Digital Trust: A Cornerstone for Financial Interactions
Trust has always been central to financial systems, but in a digital world, it requires new frameworks. Self-sovereign identities (SSIs) and self-custody solutions empower users to securely control their data and assets.
Yet, with cybercrime costs projected to rise significantly by 2028, holistic digital trust frameworks are urgently needed. Financial institutions can reduce vulnerabilities, improve customer engagement, and build confidence through global standards and secure, user-centric approaches.
4) Quantum-Safe Technologies: Securing the Future
Quantum computing brings both opportunities and risks to the financial sector. While it promises breakthroughs in computation, it also poses threats to current encryption methods, making quantum-safe cryptography essential.
Initiatives like post-quantum standards introduced by National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) in 2024 and projects such as HSBC’s quantum-safe tokenized gold pilot demonstrate how institutions can adapt to quantum challenges without overhauling infrastructure. Preparing for a quantum-powered future requires collaboration and proactive investment.

Pathway 2035 for Financial Innovation – Your Navigator serves as both a guide and a catalyst, supporting the evolution of finance for the benefit of all. By bringing together academia, industry, and government, it highlights the power of collaboration and co-creation in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future of finance.
The collaborative effort behind this paper underscores a key truth: the journey is as important as the destination. Pathway 2035 is a work in progress, shaped by challenges and opportunities that demand resilience and adaptability. It acts as a flexible compass, guiding stakeholders as they navigate emerging challenges and opportunities, while continuously refining the path toward the future of finance through innovation.
Read the full publication here: https://find.swiss/announcements/pathway-2035-for-financial-innovation