Crypto as Material Property under Swiss law

This dissertation examines the notion of materiality under Swiss property law in light of crypto-based goods. Tracing its origins to Roman law and philosophical ideas from the Age of Enlightenment, it argues that justifications for and functions of tangible property extend to crypto goods. By demonstrating crypto’s material existence beyond the conventional conception of it being mere information and determining the object of property for the two most common crypto assets, this work opens up new avenues for understanding ownership in the digital age. It addresses common counterarguments and provides a robust framework for future legal discourse on digital assets.