Why license a crypto business in Switzerland?
Switzerland pairs a top-tier reputation with genuine legal certainty. Its technology-neutral framework, including the DLT Act, gives token issuers, trading venues, and custodians a clear and respected basis to operate, and the Crypto Valley ecosystem around Zug offers talent, service providers, and crypto-friendly banking that few jurisdictions can match.
Top-tier reputation. A Swiss licence carries significant credibility with banks, investors, and counterparties worldwide.
Legal certainty. A mature, technology-neutral framework, including the Swiss DLT Act, gives projects a stable legal footing.
Crypto Valley ecosystem. Zug and the wider Swiss ecosystem offer deep talent, service providers, and a concentration of crypto and banking expertise.
Token clarity. FINMA classifies tokens as payment, utility, or asset tokens, giving issuers a clear basis for structuring an offering.
Institutional fit. Well suited to token issuers, trading facilities, custodians, and institutional projects that value rigour.
Banking access. An established crypto-banking sector makes Switzerland one of the more workable jurisdictions for corporate accounts.
Swiss authorisation routes and activities
The right route depends on what your business does. We map your model to the correct FINMA authorisation:
FINTECH Licence
A lighter banking-style authorisation that allows acceptance of public deposits up to a defined limit, used by some crypto and payment businesses.
Banking Licence
Required where activity amounts to banking, for example certain custody, deposit-taking, or stablecoin models at scale.
DLT Trading Facility
An authorisation under the Swiss DLT Act for venues that trade DLT-based securities and tokens.
Token Issuance
Issuing payment, utility, or asset tokens, with the regime following the token classification under FINMA guidance.
Custody
Safeguarding virtual assets or keys, with safeguarding, segregation, and security expectations.
AML Affiliation (SRO)
Financial intermediaries affiliate with a self-regulatory organisation for AML supervision under the AMLA.
Note: Costs are indicative and may change with your requirements and regulations. Contact us for a tailored quote.