🇨🇭 Zurich (Canton) Subdivision of Switzerland

Switzerland, including the Canton of Zurich, maintains a crypto-friendly regulatory environment with clear proportional and risk-based supervision by FINMA. The regulatory framework includes AMLA, Banking Act, FMIA, CISA, and the DLT Act, with a pending FinIA reform for crypto institutions expected in 2027.

Overview

Statuscrypto_friendly
Risk Score15/100 (Low Risk)
Regioneurope
CurrencyCHF

Tax Information

Capital Gains (Personal)Tax-free for private individuals under certain conditions
Capital Gains (Corporate)Taxed as ordinary income or corporate profit
VAT on CryptoNo
Staking TaxTaxed as income
Airdrop TaxTaxed as income

Capital gains from crypto are generally tax-free for private individuals but taxed for corporations. VAT does not apply to crypto transactions. Staking, mining, and airdrops are taxed as income.

Licensing & Registration

RequiredYes
RegulatorFINMA
FrameworkFinancial Market Infrastructure Act (FMIA) and Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA)
Easemedium

FINMA applies proportional and risk-based supervision. The upcoming FinIA reform will introduce a specific crypto-institution license to enhance regulatory clarity.

Enforcement Activity

Level: Low

No significant enforcement actions reported; jurisdiction actively encourages crypto business

AML / KYC

KYC RequiredYes
Travel RuleYes
FATF MemberYes
FATF Statuscompliant
FATF BodyFATF
Suspicious-Activity ReportingYes

DeFi, Stablecoins & NFTs

Status: regulated

DeFi activities fall under existing financial market laws and AML regulations, with FINMA applying a risk-based approach to supervision.

Stablecoins

Status: regulated

Stablecoins are regulated under existing financial market laws and AMLA, requiring compliance with licensing and prudential requirements.

NFTs

Status: no_rules

No specific NFT regulation; generally permitted

Mining

LegalYes
Electricity Cost$0.15/kWh
Renewable Energy30%
Infrastructureexcellent

Mining is legal with moderate electricity costs and good infrastructure; renewable energy accounts for about 30% of supply.

Geopolitical Risk

Stabilityvery_stable
SanctionsNo
Corruption Index85/100
Banking Accessopen
Sanctions Program ActiveYes

Switzerland offers a very stable political environment with strong rule of law, high transparency, and excellent infrastructure, making it favorable for crypto businesses.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cryptocurrency legal in Zurich (Canton)?

Switzerland, including the Canton of Zurich, maintains a crypto-friendly regulatory environment with clear proportional and risk-based supervision by FINMA. The regulatory framework includes AMLA, Banking Act, FMIA, CISA, and the DLT Act, with a pending FinIA reform for crypto institutions expected in 2027.

What is the FATF status of Zurich (Canton)?

Zurich (Canton) is classified by FATF as: compliant.

Are VASPs licensed in Zurich (Canton)?

Yes, licensing is required for VASPs.

What is the AML/KYC regime in Zurich (Canton)?

KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.

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Last reviewed: 2026-09-29 · Data source: Soken Crypto Legal Map

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