licencemap
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Matrix / Switzerland

🇨🇭 Switzerland

FINMA, function-based (FinTech / DLT)

Last verified 2026-07-01 Next review 2026-07-15

Licence type

No single crypto licence - regulated by economic function (FINMA token taxonomy; DLT Act 2021). Typical exchange/custodian/broker needs SRO/AMLA affiliation (e.g. VQF) plus, where deposits/custody are involved, a FinTech licence (Banking Act Art. 1b); larger deposit-taking needs a banking licence; a DLT trading facility needs FinMIA authorisation.

Verified 2026-07-01 Source: FINMA - FinTech licence: https://www.finma.ch/en/authorisation/fintech/fintech-bewilligung/

Regulator

FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) grants all prudential licences; for AML only, firms affiliate with a FINMA-recognised SRO (e.g. VQF).

Verified 2026-07-01 Source: FINMA - SROs: https://www.finma.ch/en/authorisation/self-regulatory-organisations-sros/

Capital requirement 🔒

Timeline to authorisation 🔒

Local substance 🔒

Application cost 🔒

Ongoing cost 🔒

Passporting 🔒

MiCA CASPs approved 🔒

Key restrictions 🔒

Recent changes

FINMA licensed the first DLT trading facility (BX Digital, 18 Mar 2025); Federal Council consultation (22 Oct 2025 - 6 Feb 2026) proposes to ABOLISH the FinTech licence and create Payment/Crypto Institution categories; FINMA Guidance 01/2026 on crypto custody (12 Jan 2026).

Verified 2026-07-01 Source: FINMA - first DLT trading facility (18 Mar 2025): https://www.finma.ch/en/news/2025/03/20250318-mm-dlt-handelssystem/

Difficulty rating 🔒

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Informational only, not legal advice. Entries marked as placeholder or awaiting verification must not be relied on. Confirm all requirements with Switzerland's regulator and qualified local counsel before acting.