The potential of blockchain applications is expressed by expected global CAGRs ranging from 60-80% for the coming years. While Switzerland was attracting many crypto start-ups, corporates or government institutions are still reluctant to wide adoption of blockchains, due to the complexity, lacking privacy or inefficiencies of existing solutions. The present thesis describes the fundamentals of blockchains, examines whether investing in the required blockchain infrastructure would add value to the client and if this infrastructure could eventually be offered “as a service” to external parties.

In order to investigate whether there is a market need for the intended service that promises to be a unique approach, the author was conducting several interviews with potential customers. Supported by cross-industry reports, literature and other secondary data, the author was analysing the results of the interviews and internal workshops with the client. Eventually, a potential business model for a Blockchain as a Service solution, solving some of the currently present issues towards blockchain adoption in the enterprise context within (and outside) Switzerland, has been suggested.

The analysis has shown that value can be created at various levels of the blockchain technology stack. The proposed solution considers providing a private, permissioned blockchain that is distinct from existing enterprise blockchains due to a unique approach. The suggested service could generate benefits to clients from four primary segments, including company internal customers, Swiss B2B clients, government institutions, and international clients. The users of the service could appreciate the benefits of a private blockchain; namely the performance efficiency, the permissioned access, the faster and less costly transactions, as well as the benefits of the confidential Unique Selling Proposition. While the suggested pay-per-use pricing approach can reduce development and operational costs for clients by up to 60%, the findings have shown that such infrastructure services are hard to monetize and are therefore oftentimes cross-financed by other value creating services (i.e., consulting). The thesis shall assist the client in deciding about whether (and how) to enter said venture.