Switzerland Crypto License
Contents
- Why Switzerland?
- Regulatory Bodies for Cryptocurrency in Switzerland
- Importance of a Crypto Authorization in Switzerland
- Overview of Crypto Licensing Options in Switzerland
- Steps to Apply for SRO Membership
- Benefits of Operating With a Switzerland Crypto License
- MiCA vs. Switzerland – Crypto Regulation at a Glance
- How Fintech Harbor Consulting Can Help
- Frequently Asked Questions


Why Switzerland?
Unlike jurisdictions with rigid licensing regimes, Switzerland provides a tiered approach through either direct licensing with FINMA or more streamlined registration via Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) membership. Although Switzerland is located in Europe, it is not a member of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA). It means that the EU’s newly implemented Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, also known as MiCA or MiCAR, does not apply, and you’re not required to obtain a MiCA license to operate lawfully in Switzerland.
Here is an overview of the key reasons why Switzerland is a prime destination for launching your crypto business:
- Operating under a well-established SRO system, Switzerland ensures compliance with Swiss AML laws. While both frameworks aim to ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) standards and establish clear governance structures, Switzerland offers a more flexible and less burdensome approach.
- Switzerland provides favorable conditions for meeting the minimum share capital requirements. Under MiCA, crypto service providers must meet stricter requirements – including higher minimum share capital (ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 EUR, depending on the activity) – whereas in Switzerland, many businesses can operate with capital as low as CHF 20,000, especially when authorized through an SRO.
- This jurisdiction is known for its advantageous tax policies. The canton of Zug in Switzerland is known for its attractive tax regime for businesses.
Regulatory Bodies for Cryptocurrency in Switzerland
Switzerland uses a dual-layered oversight system. FINMA licenses traditional financial institutions and certain crypto activities such as banking or securities trading.
However, most crypto businesses, including exchanges, custody providers, and brokers, can operate through SRO membership. SROs, like VQF, ARIF, and AOOS, supervise compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws and are authorized by FINMA.
Importance of a Crypto Authorization in Switzerland
Permitted Activities
With a crypto license in Switzerland, your business gets full authorization to provide the following financial services;
- Fiat/crypto exchange: Authorization to buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies legally
- Fund and cryptoasset transfers: Securely process electronic assets
- Custody of cryptoassets: Store and manage digital assets

Also, with a custom legal opinion and for an extra fee, your company is authorized to offer these services:
- Institutional Over-the-Counter (OTC) crypto trading
- On and off-ramp of crypto to fiat
- Market making
- Collateralized lending
- Secure cryptoassets for clients: Cold wallet storage for institutional or retail clients plus multi-signature wallet management
- Launchpad
- Stake
- Initial Coin Offering (ICO)
- Escrow services
Alongside the list of permitted activities, there are a few restrictions for your crypto services you should be aware of. First, SRO members are not allowed to engage in direct marketing outside Switzerland. Second, serving EU clients who don’t have an EU license is permitted only under “reverse solicitation,” meaning that the client is expected to initiate the service request. This policy is regulated by MiCAR (Article 61) and MiFID II (Article 42).
Overview of Crypto Licensing Options in Switzerland
SRO membership
Most startups and mid-sized crypto firms seeking a crypto exchange license in Switzerland choose to operate via membership in an SRO. This route allows them to function as financial intermediaries under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) without needing a full FINMA license.
Key advantages are:
- Simpler process, lower cost, shorter timeline.
- Covers common crypto services: exchange, custody, OTC, and cryptopayment processing.
- Ongoing support from the SRO, including audit frameworks, guidance, and optional consulting.
In addition, Switzerland’s principles-based regulatory approach allows some flexibility for crypto services that fall outside of specifically licensed activities, provided they are not prohibited by law and do not involve regulated financial instruments.
FINMA FinTech License
The FinTech license—also known as the “innovation license”—is issued directly by FINMA. It permits holding public deposits up to CHF 100 million without interest obligations. Suitable for platforms offering:
- Lending/borrowing,
- Stablecoin issuance,
- Extended payment or custodial services.
However, higher capital requirements (minimal share capital is 300,000 CHF), governance, and reporting standards apply. Approval typically takes a lot longer than for SRO membership.
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Steps to Apply for SRO Membership
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants
To apply for a crypto license in Switzerland via SRO membership, companies must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You’ll need to incorporate a legal entity in Switzerland (typically a GmbH or AG (Limited Liability Company or Public Limited Company analogues)).
- A physical office and at least one Swiss-resident board member are required to establish substance.
- The company capital shall amount to not less than 20,000 CHF and shall be fully paid in.
- You’ll need to appoint an AML compliance officer. It must be a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) with relevant experience.
- Make sure your venture is fully compliant with the Swiss and EU standards for AML and KYC policies.
Required Documents
The list of necessary documentation for individual owners includes the following:
- Passport copy
- Three referred company names
- Proof of residential address
- Detailed business plan
- CV and source of funds explanation.
For corporate entities, the list of documents is as follows:
- Three referred company names
- Certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Shareholder and director details
- Financial statements
The Application Process Explained
The crypto license Switzerland registration process includes several steps and requires close attention to detail in order to secure the final approval of your application. Here is a comprehensive overview of what your licensing process in this jurisdiction will look like:
- The process begins with signing the service agreement.
- The next step is preparing a complete application package. It must include your business plan, AML/KYC policies, internal procedures, and supporting documents on ownership and operations. Once all the necessary documents are prepared, it’s time to submit them along with the application to the relevant authority for review.
- Then, proceed with your company opening. We provide personalized support with this step of your licensing process, considering all the nuances of your particular business goals and setup requirements.
- The following step is SRO membership registration. For standard crypto services, such as exchange or custody, you can apply for your Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) membership in a self-regulatory organization like VQF, which will assess your compliance with Swiss AML laws and operational structure. However, if your activities involve handling public deposits, issuing stablecoins, or managing tokenized securities, a direct license application to FINMA may be required. The process of getting approved for your SRO membership typically takes between 3 and 4 months.
- Next comes the regulator communication and AML policy review. Once submitted, the application is reviewed in detail. Regulators may request clarifications, edits, or interviews with company officers.
- Once your application gets approved, you wil receive your membership confirmation and your license. When all requirements are met and the application is successfully reviewed, your business receives either SRO membership confirmation or a FINMA license, depending on the route taken.
- Complete document handover.
- The final step is proceeding with your bank account opening.
The entire licensing process, from the service agreement to obtaining your permit and opening a bank account, typically takes under 6 months.
What You Will Receive
Once you obtain your crypto licensing in Switzerland, you’ll receive the regulatory verification and a package of documents to confirm your authorization for offering services in this jurisdiction. Here is what you’ll get after your license approval:
- Swiss AG/GmbH registration
- SRO membership confirmation
- Legal opinion for SRO
- Regulatory compliance documentation
- AML/KYC policies
- Official corporate documents
- Bank account assistance
Benefits of Operating With a Switzerland Crypto License
Tax Advantages and Incentives in Switzerland
Swiss corporate income tax is levied at three levels: federal, cantonal, and municipal. At the federal level, companies pay 8.5% on net profits after tax, which results in an effective rate of approximately 7.83% on pre-tax profit.
Cantonal and municipal taxes differ significantly by location. The total effective corporate tax rate (federal + cantonal + municipal) depends on the company’s registered office and typically falls within the following ranges:
- Zug: ~11.9%–12.5% – one of the most favorable cantons for crypto businesses.
- Geneva: ~14%–15%.
- Zurich: ~19.7%.
This decentralized system allows businesses to choose their canton strategically based on tax planning and business needs.
For individuals, capital gains from cryptocurrency transactions are generally tax-exempt, as long as the activity is not considered professional trading. The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (ESTV) uses criteria such as frequency of trading, use of leverage, and reliance on third-party capital to determine professional status.
Additionally, cryptocurrency transactions are not subject to VAT, as they are treated similarly to traditional currency exchanges. This position was confirmed by the ESTV in 2019.
Switzerland also maintains over 100 double taxation treaties, providing favorable conditions for international investors and enabling efficient cross-border operations.
Legal Protections
Swiss law formally recognizes digital assets as property, which offers businesses and their clients strong legal protection. Thanks to the DLT Act and well-defined FINMA guidance, companies enjoy legal certainty around token classification.
Global Reputation of Swiss Crypto Regulations
Operating under Swiss authorization significantly boosts your reputation with institutional investors, payment partners, and even other regulators. Unlike many jurisdictions, Swiss banks increasingly support crypto firms that are authorized and compliant—something that remains a hurdle elsewhere.
MiCA vs. Switzerland – Crypto Regulation at a Glance
Here is an overview of the MiCA compliance compared to the regulatory requirements in Switzerland:
Aspect | MiCA (EU/EEA) | Switzerland |
Applies in | EU & EEA countries | Switzerland (Switzerland isn’t part of the EU/EEA) |
Legal Form Required | EU company with local presence | Swiss AG or GmbH with local office & director |
Capital Requirements | €50,000 – €150,000 (depending on activity) | CHF 20,000 (for SRO membership) |
Regulatory Body | National regulators under ESMA oversight | FINMA or authorized SROs |
AML/KYC Obligations | Yes – harmonized across the EU | Yes – under the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) |
Authorization Types | Uniform CASP authorizations across the EU | SRO registration (most common) or FINMA licensing |
Regulatory Complexity | High – especially for small/startup firms | Lower–tiered system allows faster entry via SRO |
Passporting | Yes – across EU/EEA once authorized (subject to requirements) | No – authorization limited to Switzerland |
Reputation & Banking Access | Bank support varies by country | Very strong – Switzerland is well-known for its bank ecosystem |
How Fintech Harbor Consulting Can Help
Securing crypto authorization in Switzerland requires legal precision and strategic planning. That’s where we come in to assist you with every step of your licensing journey.
Comprehensive License Application Support
At Fintech Harbor Consulting, we help crypto businesses from around the world enter the Swiss market with confidence. Our team supports you from the earliest stage—selecting the right license type and registering your Swiss entity—to full application drafting and submission.
Our Switzerland crypto license service includes full legal support from company formation to post-authorization compliance.

Ongoing Legal and Operational Support
Post-authorization, we provide ongoing legal and operational support—from assistance with audit preparation and internal compliance reviews to token structuring and assistance with Swiss banking partners.
Our mission is to provide end-to-end legal and operational support, ensuring your crypto venture in Switzerland is fully compliant and positioned for sustainable growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main requirements to apply for crypto authorization in Switzerland?
To apply for authorization in Switzerland, your company must be incorporated locally (AG or GmbH), have a physical presence with a Swiss address, and appoint at least one director residing in Switzerland. You’ll also need a qualified AML officer, internal policies for compliance (KYC/AML), a clean ownership structure, and documentation proving the legal origin of funds. The exact requirements vary depending on whether you’re applying for SRO membership or a FINMA license, but the foundation is always strong governance and full regulatory transparency.
How long does it take to obtain a Swiss crypto authorization?
For most crypto companies, the timeline for obtaining SRO membership is typically 3 to 4 months, assuming all documents are in order and no major revisions are requested. FINMA licensing, on the other hand, is a more involved process and can take around 6 months to complete. The timeline depends heavily on the complexity of the business model and how well-prepared the application is.
What are the costs involved in maintaining Swiss crypto authorization?
The Switzerland crypto license cost depends on whether you go through the SRO or FINMA route. Initial setup costs (company formation, document preparation, legal support) are typically lower for SROs. Ongoing annual costs include audit fees, legal updates, compliance software, and staff training, depending on business size and risk exposure.
Does MiCA regulation apply to crypto licenses in Switzerland?
While Switzerland is territorially located in Europe, it is not a member of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA). It implies that MiCA or MiCAR, the EU’s newly implemented Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, does not apply to Swiss crypto licenses. Therefore, you’re not required to obtain a MiCA license to operate legally in this jurisdiction.