The Swiss Crypto License gives your company regulated VASP status under a single membership via a FINMA-recognised SRO, most commonly VQF or SO-FIT, covering crypto exchange, OTC trading, payment processing, custody, remittance and forex. Activities such as DeFi interfaces and card issuance may also fall within scope, subject to your specific structure and the regulators assessment.
Most crypto exchanges, OTC desks and payment companies register through VQF, the most widely used FINMA-recognised SRO in German-speaking Switzerland. French-speaking operators typically use SO-FIT, which provides equivalent AMLA status. We will recommend the right SRO for your business model after a project assessment. Our Swiss team holds extensive experience in maintaining ongoing regulatory compliance for leading fintech and crypto companies worldwide.
An SRO regulation in Switzerland covers a wide range of fintech business models, from crypto exchanges and OTC desks to payment processors, custody, forex brokers and DeFi platforms. A single AMLA regulation covers both fiat and crypto services with no minimum regulatory capital buffer beyond standard company law requirements. Below are the three most common business profiles we serve.
Switzerland offers one of the most internationally respected regulatory frameworks for fintech and crypto licensing in the world. FINMA-supervised SRO membership provides a recognised, FATF-compliant credential that global banks and institutional counterparties treat with high confidence, while Zug’s tax environment and Crypto Valley ecosystem make it a strategic long-term base for fintech operators.
The table below compares three leading fintech licensing routes: Switzerland SRO, Canada MSB (FINTRAC) and EU MiCA CASP. Switzerland SRO offers the strongest banking prestige and most favourable tax, with fiat and crypto covered under one regulation. Canada MSB is the fastest and lowest-cost entry point, with no minimum capital and no resident director requirement. EU MiCA CASP provides passporting across all 27 EU member states but requires significantly more capital, local substance and time.
| Factor | Switzerland SRO | Canada MSB (FINTRAC) | EU MiCA CASP Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum authorised capital | CHF 20,000 (GmbH) / 100,000 (AG) | None | €50,000 – €150,000 |
| Resident director required | Yes (Swiss resident) | No | Yes (EU resident) |
| Timeline (new application) | 3-4 months (~1 month ready-made) | 3-6 months (2 weeks ready-made) | 6-10 months |
| Fiat & crypto in one licence | Yes | Yes | No (separate EMI + CASP) |
| EU passporting | No (non-EU) | No (non-EU) | Yes (27 member states) |
| Global client reach | Yes, worldwide | Yes, worldwide | EU-focused |
| Banking prestige | Excellent (Swiss regulated) | Good (FATF-aligned) | Variable by jurisdiction |
| DLT / crypto-specific law | Yes (DLT Act 2021) | PCMLTFA + case law | MiCA (2024) |
| Setup from (our packages) | From €20,000 | From €20,000 | From €80,000 |
Informational only. Contact us for a tailored multi-jurisdiction strategy. Learn more about Canada MSB »
“We chose Switzerland specifically for the banking relationships and the Crypto Valley network. MAXCORP handled our VQF application and Swiss substance setup end to end. The bank introductions alone saved us months of frustration – every institution they introduced us to already understood what VQF membership meant.
“We needed a jurisdiction that banks and institutional clients would take seriously. Switzerland was the obvious choice and MAXCORP delivered a smooth process. The team knew every step of the VQF process in detail, the compliance package was comprehensive, and we were fully operational within the timeline they promised.
Our Gold and Platinum packages cover new SRO applications for a freshly incorporated Swiss GmbH or AG in your name, from entry-level through to a fully managed, all-inclusive service. The Custom package provides access to an existing VQF-registered Swiss entity that can be transferred to you. All services are completed remotely without travel to Switzerland, and the minimum CHF 20,000 GmbH capital can be injected in crypto assets.
* Prices are subject to final confirmation upon receiving project details. Prices exclude VAT. The Gold package covers the SRO application process only; company incorporation and substance are priced separately. Platinum is an all-inclusive, fully managed service including Swiss company formation, substance setup and bank introductions. SRO membership application and annual membership fees are payable directly to the SRO and subject to their final determination (usually approx. CHF 4,500). CHF 20,000 minimum GmbH capital is a Swiss company law requirement, not a regulatory capital buffer, and is payable separately to the notary. Contact us for a detailed offer.
We evaluate your business model, services and regulatory needs to confirm the right structure: GmbH or AG, canton of incorporation and the most suitable SRO for your activities.
We incorporate your Swiss GmbH or AG in Zug (or your chosen canton), appoint the Swiss-resident director, establish the registered address and prepare all required SRO membership documentation for submission.
We prepare and submit your SRO membership application, including AML compliance policies, programme of operations and due diligence documentation. Our lawyers represent your interest with the SRO throughout.
Once your SRO membership is approved, we assist with ongoing AML compliance, transaction monitoring, annual SRO reporting and MROS suspicious transaction obligations. Bank introductions are arranged in parallel.
The Swiss Crypto Licence (SRO membership, typically via VQF or SO-FIT) covers a broad range of crypto and fiat financial services under a single AMLA regulation, including crypto exchange, OTC trading, payment services and custody with segregated wallets. No separate securities licensing is required for established assets. Card issuance and DeFi interfaces may also be covered, subject to your specific structure. Companies must appoint an AML Officer based in Switzerland to oversee AML programmes. This role can be outsourced. We provide an outsourced Swiss-resident AML Officer solution as part of our substance offering.
VQF SRO
A Switzerland SRO regulation (e.g. VQF) covers all of the following under a single AMLA licence:
Requires AML compliance policies, transaction monitoring and annual SRO reporting. Omnibus wallet custody is limited to CHF 1m total; use segregated wallets for unlimited custody. Security tokens, securities and derivatives are excluded.
Add-on service
Certain higher-risk or regulated activities require direct FINMA authorisation beyond SRO membership, enabling:
Requires FINMA authorisation, additional capital requirements and ongoing supervisory reporting. We assist with full FINMA licensing project scoping on request.
Non-residents of Switzerland can obtain digital signature capabilities to facilitate company administration remotely. Switzerland’s Federal Act on Electronic Signatures (ZertES) and the Swiss Code of Obligations recognise qualified electronic signatures (QES) as legally equivalent to handwritten signatures for most commercial purposes. Non-residents can engage with Swiss-accredited certification service providers, such as SwissSign or Swisscom Trust Services, to obtain a qualified electronic certificate. Identity verification is typically completed remotely via video identification, enabling non-residents to obtain the necessary digital credentials without being physically present in Switzerland. For notarised corporate documents such as the articles of association and public deed of incorporation, a one-time notarial appointment in Switzerland or via Swiss consular services is required.
VQF membership and AMLA financial intermediary status are maintained through ongoing compliance. Our team proactively monitors your obligations to ensure your membership remains in good standing. Below are the most common reasons VQF memberships are suspended or terminated, and how we help you avoid them:
Penalties for AMLA violations in Switzerland can include criminal sanctions, fines and revocation of VQF membership. Our team ensures full compliance with VQF requirements and Swiss AMLA obligations to help businesses avoid penalties and maintain their membership.
Yes. An SRO-registered Swiss entity may serve clients globally, provided it complies with Swiss AMLA obligations and any applicable foreign regulations in the client’s jurisdiction. There is no restriction on serving non-Swiss clients, although sanctioned countries are restricted.
Company formation (GmbH or AG) takes 4-5 weeks. SRO membership and AMLA registration typically takes 3-4 months once documentation is complete. For a ready-made SRO entity (Custom package), transfer can be completed faster, subject to SRO approval of the new beneficial owner. Indicative timeframes depend on the completeness of documentation and the workload of the chosen SRO.
FINMA currently recognises 11 SROs. For crypto and fintech companies, the most relevant are VQF (German-speaking Switzerland, the most widely used by international fintech and crypto operators), SO-FIT (French-speaking Switzerland), PolyReg and ARIF. All are FINMA-supervised and provide equivalent AMLA regulation. The choice depends on your language, business model and the SRO’s specific admissions criteria. VQF is our primary recommendation for most international clients, but we assess the best fit following your project review.
Switzerland SRO requires CHF 20,000 minimum capital (GmbH), a Swiss-resident director, and covers both fiat and crypto. EU MiCA CASP requires EUR 50,000 to EUR 150,000 in authorised capital, an EU-resident director, and separate EMI and CASP licences for combined fiat and crypto. Swiss SRO timeline is 3-4 months; EU CASP typically takes 6-10 months. EU CASP gives passporting rights across 27 member states; Swiss SRO member does not. Switzerland offers stronger banking prestige and more favourable corporate tax, particularly in Zug. The right choice depends on your target markets and business model. Contact us for a tailored multi-jurisdiction comparison.
Both are fully recognised Swiss legal entities with limited liability, but they differ in four practical ways that matter for fintech operators. Capital: a GmbH requires CHF 20,000 fully paid in; an AG requires CHF 100,000, of which at least CHF 50,000 must be paid in at formation. Privacy: AG shareholders are not publicly disclosed in the commercial register; GmbH associates are named publicly, which matters for beneficial owners who prefer confidentiality. Share transfer: AG shares are transferred by a simple share deal with no commercial register update required, making future ownership changes straightforward; GmbH share changes require general assembly approval and commercial register registration. External investment and tokenization: AG shares can be tokenized and are suited to external investor rounds; GmbH shares are not tokenizable and are generally not suitable for third-party investment. Most international fintech operators choose the GmbH for its lower capital requirement and simpler setup. The AG is recommended for larger operations, clients seeking external funding, or those planning to tokenize equity. Contact us to discuss which structure fits your business.
Yes. An SRO membership covers crypto exchange, OTC trading and payment services for established assets. DeFi protocol interfaces are generally subject to AMLA financial intermediary obligations. Custody of crypto with segregated wallets is covered (unlimited amount). Security tokens, securities and derivatives are excluded from SRO coverage. Our Swiss legal team can advise on the regulatory perimeter for your specific model.
Most crypto and fintech companies enter Switzerland via SRO membership under AMLA. Direct FINMA authorisation is required if your model includes: accepting public deposits above CHF 1m from retail clients; full custodial control over client assets at scale; management of collective investment schemes; or operation of a DLT trading facility. If you are unsure which route applies, we assess this as part of our free project consultation.
Yes. Swiss company law requires at least one director or board member authorised to represent the company to be domiciled in Switzerland. We provide an outsourced fractional Swiss-resident director solution to meet this requirement. Additional key personnel, including the MLRO/compliance officer, may also be outsourced through our Swiss substance solution.
A registered address in Switzerland is required for company registration and SRO membership. A physical office is recommended but not mandatory at the initial registration stage. We provide a shared office solution in Zug to meet this requirement, with options to establish an own presence as your operations grow.
The minimum capital for a Swiss GmbH is CHF 20,000. For an AG (stock corporation), the liability capital is CHF 100,000 whereas CHF 50,000 shall be paid in. This is a Swiss company law requirement, not a regulatory capital buffer. Capital may be injected in crypto assets. Most international fintech operators choose the GmbH for its lower capital requirement and simpler structure.
Yes. An SRO membership covers custody of crypto assets using segregated wallets (unlimited amount). Custody using an omnibus wallet is limited to CHF 1m in total. Accepting fiat deposits from retail clients is limited to CHF 1m under the regulatory sandbox – for higher volumes, a Fintech licence (up to CHF 100m) or banking licence is required. Our team will assess your specific model and advise on the appropriate licence tier.
Key documents include certified passport copies for all directors, shareholders and beneficial owners, a Power of Attorney, a business plan overview and CVs for main participants. Source of funds declarations and draft compliance policies are required for SRO membership. Documents must be notarised and apostilled, with certified German or English translations. Our team provides a full documentation checklist following the initial project assessment.
The legal framework for financial intermediaries in Switzerland is primarily governed by the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), the Financial Services Act (FinSA), the Financial Institutions Act (FinIA) and, for distributed ledger technology businesses, the DLT Act (2021). Under AMLA, crypto exchanges, payment providers and other financial intermediaries must affiliate with a FINMA-supervised SRO (such as VQF), ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. FINMA directly supervises certain activities, including custody of crypto assets, securities services and banking. We assist businesses in obtaining SRO membership (e.g. VQF) and FINMA authorisation where required, preparing all necessary policies and managing the regulatory process to ensure full compliance.
For review and preparation of the licensing project we will ask for the following preliminary documentation:
All listed documentation must be certified by a notary public and confirmed with an apostille, in English or German (or with a certified translation). In the first stage we will gather all information and provide a step-by-step process overview according to your specific case.
Our compliance team will prepare internal procedures and documentation to ensure your company meets the Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC) and regulatory requirements under Swiss AMLA, SRO membership rules (e.g. VQF) and FINMA guidance. Selected key components include:
Instructions and Guidelines: Practical steps to identify and manage:
Further details about our compliance services can be found in our Compliance section.
We provide substance solutions to meet SRO membership as the AMLA financial intermediary status is maintained through ongoing compliance requirements, including a Swiss-resident director, shared office in Zug and an outsourced part-time fractional MLRO/Compliance Officer. Our services cover ongoing training, regulatory correspondence and compliance management to ensure full adherence to Swiss obligations.
MLRO / Compliance Officer Responsibilities:
The specific compliance staffing and operational requirements depend on your business model, risk profile and transaction volumes. We provide customised recommendations following a preliminary analysis of your regulatory needs.
We can provide a step-by-step overview with timelines and a budget breakdown after gathering preliminary project information. Every SRO membership we handle is backed by our Swiss legal team’s hands-on expertise and a thorough process checklist, ensuring all regulatory requirements are met before go-live. Contact us through the form below and we will get back to you with a detailed response.
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Contact us to discuss your objectives with our Switzerland country manager or to arrange an online meeting.
