| Updated: August 12, 2024Swiss traders who are seeking the best crypto trading experience can take a look at our list of top-rated crypto brokers and exchange platforms. Our trading experts have considered factors like regulations, trading fees, payment solutions, and investor protection to select only the best trading platforms catering to Swiss crypto traders.
Fusion Markets74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
FP Markets73.85% of retail investor accounts lose money
IC Markets70.64% of retail investor accounts lose money
eToro51% of retail investor accounts lose money
Plus50080% of retail investor accounts lose money
Admirals73% of retail investor accounts lose money
Saxo Bank65% of retail investor accounts lose money
IG70% of retail client accounts lose money
XTB80% of retail investor accounts lose money
Swissquote61% of retail investor accounts lose moneyCrypto Brokers Ranked by Trustpilot Score
| Forex Broker | Trustpilot Reviews | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fusion Markets | 1,662 | 4.9 ⭐ |
| 2. FP Markets | 6,706 | 4.8 ⭐ |
| 3. IC Markets | 37,770 | 4.7 ⭐ |
| 4. eToro | 24,180 | 4.2 ⭐ |
| 5. Plus500 | 13,613 | 4.1 ⭐ |
| 6. Admirals | 1,770 | 3.8 ⭐ |
| 7. Saxo Bank | 5596 | 3.7 ⭐ |
| 8. IG | 6,964 | 3.6 ⭐ |
| 9. XTB | 1,168 | 3.6 ⭐ |
| 10. Swissquote | 2445 | 3.5 ⭐ |
Switzerland Crypto Brokers Spreads
| Broker | BTCUSD | ETHUSD | SOLUSD | ADAUSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. IC Markets | 8.71 | 4.56 | 0.10 | 0.001 |
| 2. FP Markets | 1.27 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 0.0031 |
| 3. Fusion Markets | 10.63 | 2.59 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
| 4. eToro | 0.75% | 1% buy, 1% sell | 1% | 1% buy; 1% sell |
| 5. Plus500 | 0.30% | 8.1 (0.25%) | 3.21 (1.78%) | 0.00578 (1.39%) |
| 6. Admirals | 0.3% | 0.3% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 7. IG | 36 (min spread) | 1.2 (min spread) | 1.6 (min) | 1.4 (min) |
| 8. Saxo Bank | $287 | $16.4 | N/A | N/A |
| 9. XTB | 0.22% of market price | 0.25% of market price | 0.75% of market price | 0.45% of market price |
| 10. Swissquote | 80 | 5 | 0.5% - 1% | 0.5% - 1% |
Top 10 Crypto Brokers in Switzerland
- 1. IC Markets
Minimum Deposit €200 Regulation CySEC, FSA, ASIC Tradable Coins 20+ Software MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView Crypto Leverage 5:1 (Retail), 200:1 (Raw Trader Plus) Fees BTC/USD – 2.210 pips min spread; No commission fees on crypto CFDs Exchange/Wallet Service No Deposit Methods PayPal, Wire Transfer, Broker to Broker, Visa (EUR,USD), Mastercard (EUR,USD), Skrill (EUR,USD), Neteller (EUR,USD) Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Wire Transfer With a global customer base, IC Markets offers a top-notch tradable experience to all of its customers. Low fees, tight spreads, and investor protection tools are just a few of the features that make IC Markets a great option for Swiss traders. The brokerage offers a wide range of CFD tradable instruments, with crypto being one of the markets included in IC Markets’ list of offerings.
Traders can choose from popular third-party platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Swiss traders will be able to take both long and short positions and even make use of leverage while they trade various cryptocurrencies against popular fiat currencies. The maximum allowed leverage for retail traders is 5:1. Meanwhile, traders who enjoy bigger-volume investments can open Raw Trader Plus accounts and access various perks, including crypto leverage of up to 200:1.
Key Pros
- Supports deposits in CHF
- Broker’s website available in French, Italian, and German
- Trustworthy broker regulated by top-tier regulators
- Crypto leverage up to 200:1
- Deposits are instant and fee-free
Key Cons
- Very few deposit options support CHF
- Higher leverage is available only to high-volume crypto traders
- Not licensed by FINMA
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70.64% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. - 2. FP Markets
Minimum Deposit €50 (€100 for bank transfers) Regulation CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, FSA (Seychelles) Tradable Coins 12 (ETH, BCH, BTC, EOS, DOT, and more) Software MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader Crypto Leverage 10:1 Fees Spreads: 18.85 for BTC/USD, 4.5 for ETH/USD, 0.0027 for ADA/USD, 0.0008 for LTC/USD
Swap fees: -40 (long), -5 (short) for BTC/USD; -30 (long), -10 (short) for ETH/USDExchange/Wallet Service No Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, ApplePay, GPay, Broker to Broker, Crypto Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Crypto, Bank Transfer Another broker that also caters to the preferences of Swiss traders is FP Markets, operating thanks to licenses issued by top-tier regulators. The broker offers a wide range of tradable options, with CFDs on crypto being one of them. Since you are simply speculating on the price change of various crypto assets, you do not need a digital wallet to trade crypto with FP Markets.
Conveniently enough, the broker supports a wide range of payment options that support deposits and withdrawals in CHF. Crypto payments will also be available to Swiss traders, allowing them to fund their FP Markets balances with different crypto methods.
FP Markets does not charge any commissions on CFD crypto trades, allowing investors to minimize the trading cost and pay only the spread that applies to the crypto cross they trade. Traders can go both long and short, allowing them to profit from both market rallies and corrections.
Key Pros
- Supports various payment methods for CHF deposits and withdrawals
- Supports crypto payments
- Spreads on crypto crosses tend to be competitive
- Website available in German, French, and Italian
- Offers popular third-party trading platforms
Key Cons
- Neteller withdrawals impose 1% fee
- Does not offer CFDs on crypto indices
- Deposits to Iress accounts can be processed slower
10 per quarter for non-AU traders; 20 per quarter and notional volume of AU$1,000,000 per 4 quarters in the last 1 year 73.85% of retail CFD accounts lose money Minimum Deposit €0 Regulation ASIC, VFSC, SFSA Tradable Coins 13 Software MT4, MT5, TradingView, cTrader, DupliTrade, Fusion+, MAM/PAM Crypto Leverage 2:1 (Retail) Fees BTC/USD – 10.63 min spread; Bitcoin trading fee – 0.06%; no commission fees on crypto CFDs Exchange/Wallet Service No Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Jeton, Perfect Money, Bank Transfer Withdrawal Methods Jeton, Perfect Money, Bank Transfer Fusion Markets is a reputable brokerage that started offering its customers trading services in 2019. Thanks to licenses issued by top regulatory authorities, the broker has achieved a global reach, with Switzerland also included in its list of supported markets. With a vast variety of tradable instruments. Fusion Markets offers the best forex and CFD trading experience to its customers.
Crypto traders have the opportunity to take either long or short positions on crypto CFDs, with Fusion Markets’ list of supported instruments covering 12 popular crypto coins. Spreads on crypto assets are low enough to make Fusion Markets a great choice for trading. While the broker does charge a Bitcoin Trading Fee of 0.06%, when compared to fees charged by top exchange platforms, Fusion Markets stands out from the rest.
Swiss crypto traders will be able to increase the size of their orders, exceeding their initial collateral by using leverage. The maximum ratio available to Fusion Markets’ clients is capped at 10:1.
Key Pros
- Offers tight spreads on major crypto assets
- Offers leverage to crypto CFD traders
- Swiss traders can choose from various payment methods
- Swiss traders can deposit and withdraw via crypto
- Charges no commission on crypto trades
Key Cons
- Supports only one method allowing CHF deposits
- Does not support CHF as account base currency
- No crypto wallet
Gleneagle Asset Management Limited (ABN 29 103 162 278) trading as Fusion Markets, is the issuer of the Fusion Markets Products described in this communication. Trading in Fusion Markets Products involves the potential for profit as well as the risk of loss which may vastly exceed the amount of your initial deposit and is not suitable for all investors. You should read all of these Financial Product Service Terms, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Financial Services Guide (available on our website) carefully, consider your own financial situation, needs and objectives for investing in these Fusion Markets Products and obtain independent financial advice.- 4. eToro
Minimum Deposit €/$100 for first-time deposits; €/$50 for subsequent deposits Regulation ASIC, FCA, DFSA, AMF, CySEC, SEC, FSRA, GFSC, MFSA, FSA (Seychelles), DNB Tradable Coins Bitcoin, Ethererum, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, Dash, Litecoin, Ethereum Classic, API3, Cronos, Skale Network, IoTex, Immutable X, Cardano, IOTA, Stellar, EOS, NEO, TRON, ZCash, Build Tezos, Polkadot, Maker, Compound, Chainlink, Uniswap, Yearn. finance, Dogecoin, Aave, Filecoin, Algorand, Cosmos, Decentraland, ApeCoin, Loopring, Enjin, Biconomy, Basic Attention Token, Bancor, Origin Protocol, Polygon, Flare, Gala V2, My Neighbor Alice, Chiliz, Hedera Hashgraph, dYdX, Solana, Theta Software OpenBook (social trading platform), WebTrader (proprietary platform) Crypto Leverage 2:1 (Retail) Fees Free (performance fees may apply) Exchange/Wallet Service Yes Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Klarna, Bank Transfer Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Bank Transfer One particularly interesting broker offering crypto trading is eToro. The brokerage combines several tradable forms in a single platform, allowing crypto CFD trading as well as buying, selling, and exchanging cryptocurrencies through eToro’s dedicated exchange platform.
One common thing between the CFD crypto section and the spot trading exchange platform of eToro is the no-hidden fee policy adopted by the broker. The only surcharge attached to CFD crypto orders is a 1% commission, applied on opening and closing positions. Meanwhile, both sell and buy orders on the exchange platform will also imply a 1% trading fee.
Conveniently enough, the broker offers its customers the chance to keep their crypto funds in the eToro Money Crypto Wallet. Swiss traders can easily move funds from their eToro accounts to the Crypto Wallet. Transferring crypto from eToro’s digital wallet to an external crypto is also possible and requires minimal effort.
Key Pros
- Offers both CFD and spot crypto trading
- Swiss traders can use eToro’s Crypto Wallet to hold crypto
- Deposits are processed instantly
- Covers over 100 tradable cryptocurrencies
- Offers leverage on crypto CFDs
Key Cons
- Trading fees can be higher than fees charged by competitors
- Does not support CHF as account base currency
- Some withdrawal methods have longer processing times
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 51% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. - 5. Plus500
Minimum Deposit $100 (AU$200) Regulation ASIC, FMA, CySEC, MAS, FCA, ISA, SFCA, FSA (Seychelles) Tradable Coins 20 coins, 1 crypto index Software Proprietary Crypto Leverage 2:1 Fees Spread: 0.3% for BTC/USD, 0.60% for the Crypto 10 Index Exchange/Wallet Service No Deposit Methods BPAY, Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, PayPal, Bank Transfer, Apple Pay Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfer Plus500 offers its clients a super trading experience, with Crypto being one of the prominent markets available on the broker’s platform. Since Plus500 allows traders to take long and short positions on crypto CFDs, traders do not need digital wallets to invest in crypto assets. Instead, they can speculate on the price of a digital currency and profit from any type of fluctuations in the market.
With Plus500, traders have the opportunity to trade 20 cryptocurrencies and enjoy some of the tightest spreads online. To bring the trading cost even lower, the broker does not charge any commission on crypto CFD orders.
Swiss crypto traders who decide to join Plus500 will have access to plenty of perks. Trading crypto CFDs with leverage is also one of them, allowing investors to increase their tradable amount with a leverage of up to 5:1.
Key Pros
- Supports various payment methods
- Supports languages native to Swiss traders
- Allows leverage on crypto CFDs
- Offers competitive spreads
- Supports CHF as account base currency
Key Cons
- No third-party platforms
- No phone support option
- Does not offer crypto wallet
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. - 6. Admirals
Minimum Deposit $100 ($1 for Invest MT5 accounts) Regulation ASIC, CySEC, FCA, CIRO, FSCA, JSC (Jordan), CMA (Kenya), FSA (Seychelles), EFSA (Estonia) Tradable Coins 27 Software MT4, MT5, StereoTrader Crypto Leverage 5:1 (Retail) Fees Spread: 0.3% for BTC/USD and ETH/USD 0.3% for BTC/USD, 0.60% for the Crypto 10 Index Exchange/Wallet Service No Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Klarna, Bank Transfer, Skrill Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Skrill Swiss traders seeking a suitable broker platform to trade cryptocurrencies can also join Admirals and explore its CFD section. The brokerage allows its members to take long and short positions on the price of more than 20 cryptocurrencies. Since CFD trading allows traders to speculate on the price of digital assets without gaining any ownership over the underlying crypto coin, Swiss traders do not need a digital wallet to engage in crypto trading.
Admirals offers some of the most competitive trading fee rates to its customers, charging zero commission on CFD crypto orders. Spreads applied to your trades also compete with the lowest spreads available across top brokers, offering crypto traders some of the best prices on crypto assets.
One great product available to Admirals’ clients is the broker’s dedicated wallet that allows easy conversion of currencies, management of funds, and investing in gold straight from the wallet. Traders can also use the Admirals Wallet to hold, buy, and sell cryptocurrencies as the wallet is linked to a third-party exchange platform that allows easy and cost-effective crypto trading.
Key Pros
- Offers crypto trading on a wide selection of crypto assets
- Does not charge commission on crypto CFD orders
- Offers native crypto wallet
- Admiral Wallet can also be used for fiat currencies
- Deposits are processed instantly
Key Cons
- No FINMA license
- Traders can make only one fee-free withdrawal per month
- Spot trading available only through third-party exchange
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. - 7. IG
Minimum Deposit €50 – card payments
No minimum for bank transfersRegulation FCA, BaFin, DFSA, FSCA, MAS, ASIC Tradable Coins 11 major cryptocurrencies, two crypto crosses, and a crypto index Software MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer Crypto Leverage 10:1 (on major cryptos) Fees BTC min spreads – 38 Exchange/Wallet Service N/A Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer One of the best broker options for Swiss crypto traders is IG, which is a global brand that has gone through the required steps to be licensed by FINMA. With a banking license issued from the Swiss regulator, IG has been authorized to offer various crypto products to traders based in Switzerland, allowing them to trade 13 crypto assets as CFDs.
Swiss traders can also easily expand the list of crypto coins they invest in with the Crypto 10 index, which consists of the 10 cryptocurrencies with the highest tradable volume. Since you will simply speculate on price fluctuations in the crypto market, you do not need a digital wallet to store any crypto assets.
Spreads at IG tend to compare well with major competitors in the sector, allowing Swiss traders to enjoy the best price on their long or short positions. Since there will be no commission applied to CFD crypto orders, the cost of trading at IG is truly one of the best you can find online.
Key Pros
- Licensed by FINMA
- Includes Crypto 10 index in its tradable instruments
- Charges no commission on crypto trades
- Major cryptos allow leverage up to 10:1
- Deposit methods imply no fees
Key Cons
- Swiss traders have access to limited number of payment methods
- Does not offer spot crypto trading
- No digital wallet
CFDs are complex instruments. 70% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money. - 8. Saxo Bank
Min Deposit No minimum on Classic Account Regulations FINMA, DFSA (Denmark), CySEC Tradable Coins 2 (6 crypto crosses) Software SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPro Crypto Leverage 2:1 (major crypto pairs) Fees Variable spreads on major crypto pairs Exchange/Wallet No Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, VAN Bank Transfer Withdrawal Methods Bank Transfer Another broker specifically authorized to offer trading services to residents of Switzerland is Saxo Bank. While providing a wide range of other tradable instruments like Forex, bonds, stock, ETFs, and more, Saxo Bank also offers its clients to trade cryptocurrencies without requiring any digital wallets.
Saxo Bank allows traders to invest in several crypto assets either in the form of CryptoFX or Crypto ETPs. Both types of crypto trading allow traders to speculate on the price of a crypto asset without actually owning the underlying asset. CryptoFX allows traders to speculate on the price of major crypto coins like Bitcoin and Ether against major fiat currencies like USD, EUR, and JPY.
The broker offers a selection of trading platforms that enable an equally smooth trading experience on desktop and mobile devices. Crypto trading is available on both the SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPro platforms, offering Swiss investors access to a wide range of tools, including charts, analysis, and market indicators.
Key Pros
- Licensed by FINMA
- Includes Crypto 10 index in its tradable instruments
- Swiss traders can load the broker’s website in English,German, and French among other languages
- Major cryptos allow leverage up to 10:1
- Deposit methods imply no fees
Key Cons
- Covers very few cryptocurrencies
- Unclear about commissions applied to crypto trades
- Spreads tend to be high
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 65% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs, FX or any of our other products work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. - 9. XTB
Min Deposit No minimum on Classic Account Regulations FINMA, DFSA (Denmark), CySEC Tradable Coins 2 (6 crypto crosses) Software SaxoTraderGO, SaxoTraderPro Crypto Leverage 5:1 Fees Variable spreads on major crypto pairs Exchange/Wallet No Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, PayPal Withdrawal Methods Bank Transfer XTB is a reputable broker offering Forex and CFD tradable instruments to its large global customer base. Swiss traders can also explore the markets covered by the broker, with the cryptocurrency directory revealing more than 45 crypto assets available to trade. Since XTB offers crypto trading in the form of CFDs, traders simply take long and short positions, speculating on the price of a digital asset without owning any amount of the underlying cryptocurrency.
Traders can activate their XTB account by making very small deposits, making the platform available to a wide range of traders. To ensure competitive prices, the broker charges no commissions on crypto CFD orders. Additionally, spreads applied to crypto crosses are tight, allowing some of the best trading conditions for Swiss crypto investors.
Payments on XTB’s platform are smooth, secure, and fast, with several methods allowing traders to instantly top up their trading accounts. Meanwhile, withdrawals through bank transfers allow traders to receive their funds in a secure manner, with Swiss traders being allowed to withdraw their funds in CHF.
Key Pros
- Offers trading more than 45 crypto assets
- Broker’s website available in German and other languages native to Swiss traders
- Allows payments in CHF
- Crypto traders do not need digital wallets to invest in cryptos
- Charges no commission on crypto CFD orders
Key Cons
- Swiss traders have limited options for withdrawals
- Does not offer a crypto wallet
- Professional traders still have limits on crypto leverage
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. - 10. Swissquote
Min Deposit $1,000 Regulations BaFin, FINMA, CySEC, DFSA, FCA, MFSA, MAS, CSSF (Luxembourg), SFC (Hong Kong) Tradable Coins 40 Software MT4, MT5, CFDX (proprietary) Crypto Leverage 2:1 Fees 0.5% on crypto trading volume above 10,000 CHF Exchange/Wallet Custodial wallet Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer Withdrawal Methods Bank Transfer Swiss crypto traders have the opportunity to invest in crypto by opening an account with one of the most reputable financial service providers in Switzerland – Swissquote. Licensed by FINMA, the broker offers a wide selection of tradable instruments, including crypto-related assets. Spot trading is also available, offering traders to invest in 40 different digital assets.
Those who wish to simply explore the crypto market without actually gaining ownership over cryptocurrencies can try the crypto-asset products at Swissquote, which offer trading crypto ETPs, EFTs, and crypto derivatives. Meanwhile, the broker has also launched a native exchange platform that allows Swiss traders to hold, buy, and sell popular cryptocurrencies.
Fees on crypto traders are extremely competitive, starting from 0.5% for trading volume over 50,000 CHF. Even if your crypto trading volume is below that volume, applicable fees will still be low, with a 0.75% fee applied to trading volume between 10,000 CHF and 49,999 CHF. Traders with crypto trades between 10 CHF and 9,999 CHF will be charged a trading fee of only 1%.
Key Pros
- Licensed by FINMA
- Offers custodial crypto wallet
- Crypto market available 24/7
- Allows spot trading through native exchange platform
- Offers crypto staking
Key Cons
- Offers staking on fewer cryptocurrencies
- Charges 20% staking fees
- Does not offer CFD crypto trading
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Crypto Exchanges Trustpilot Score
Crypto Exchanges Trading Fees
| Exchange | Maker/Taker Fees | Staking | Deposits Fees | Withdrawal Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Binance | Spot & Margin: from 0.1000% / 0.1000% to 0.0120% / 0.0240% (depends on tier); Futures: from 0.0200%/0.0500% to 0.0000%/0.0170% (depends on tier) | 2.94% (ETH) 0.3%~5.6% (SOL Simple Earn) 2.7%~3.88% (USDT Simple Earn); N/A in Australia | 2% for buying crypto with AUD; 2% (Bank Cards); €1 (SEPA Transfer) | Free; €1 (SEPA Transfer) |
| 2. Bybit |
|
| No fees for internal transfers and on-chain crypto deposits | A fixed withdrawal fee for on-chain withdrawal depending on different coins and chains. |
| 3. Kraken | Spots: from 0.25% / 0.40% to 0.00%/0.10% (depends on tier); Margin: 0.02% opening fee; Futures: from 0.0200% / 0.0500% to 0.0000%/0.0100% (depends on tier) | Up to 28% annually |
| CAD:
|
Top 3 Crypto Exchanges in Switzerland
Binance
Binance is easily one of the most popular crypto exchanges one can come across online. It has also received authorization from a number of regulators, allowing the entity to offer crypto trading services to traders from across the globe. Swiss crypto investors also have the chance to join Binance and get access to more than 500 crypto coins.
Fully compliant with regulations for fair and secure crypto trading in Switzerland, Binance offers its Swiss customers to engage in spot trading, margin trading, or crypto derivatives like futures and options. Maker and taker fees across all tradable instruments are very low, allowing those who trade bigger monthly amounts to reduce trading fees significantly. Convenient enough, those who own Binance’s own crypto coin can also enjoy lower maker/taker fees.
Binance’s custodial wallet enables easy storing of crypto funds, eliminating the need for an external digital wallet. An additional option for profits is the Earn section of the exchange, allowing traders to earn yield on various cryptocurrencies.
| Binance Exchange Details | |
|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | n/a |
| Regulation | FSA (Japan), AMF, OAM, Bank of Spain, Polish Tax Administration Chamber, SFSA (Sweden), AIFC, ADGM |
| Tradable Coins | 500+ |
| Ways to trade crypto | Spot, Margin, Futures, Options |
| Crypto Leverage | 5:1 (Cross Margin) |
| Maker/Taker Fees |
Spot & Margin: 0.1000% / 0.1000%, Futures: 0.0200%/0.0500%, Options: 0.0300%/0.0300% |
| Wallet | Self-custody Web3 wallet |
| Deposit Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Zen, Wello, Bank Transfer |
| Withdrawal Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Zen, Wello, Bank Transfer |
Key Pros
- Swiss traders have access to derivatives
- Swiss traders can use leverage up to 5:1 on Cross Margin trades
- Supports various fiat methods for deposits and withdrawals
- Offers competitive spreads
- Maker/Taker fees are low
Key Cons
- Some fiat transactions may include fees
- Does not support deposits in CHF
- No phone support
Bybit
Swiss crypto traders can revel in a smooth trading experience once they join ByBit. This exchange was launched for operation in 2018 and managed to gain enough popularity to compete with the biggest names in the sector. By the end of July 2024, it recorded an all-time high daily trading volume of over 107 billion, proving it is the top choice for crypto investors all over the world.
The exchange has entered the European market through licenses from authorities in the Netherlands and Cyprus. That allows crypto traders from Switzerland access to a vast trading market, with more than 660 cryptocurrencies to trade in different ways. The exchange platform supports spot trading, margin trading as well as derivatives like futures and options.
Swiss investors will be able to trade several leveraged tokens with a maximum leverage of 3:1. Meanwhile, USDC perpetuals can be traded with a leverage of up to 125:1. To further prove it is one of the best options for crypto traders, ByBit has made sure its maker/taker fees are extremely competitive, standing at 0.1000% / 0.1000% for spot and margin trading, 0.0200%/0.0500% for futures, and 0.0300%/0.0300% for options.
| Bybit Exchange Details | |
|---|---|
| Min Deposit | €10 |
| Regulations | DNB (Netherlands), CySEC, VARA (Dubai) |
| Tradable Coins | 660+ |
| Crypto Trading | Spot, Margin, Futures, Options |
| Crypto Leverage | 3:1 Leveraged tokens, 125:1 USDC Perpetuals |
| Maker/Taker Fees | Spot & Margin: 0.1000% / 0.1000%, Futures: 0.0200%/0.0500%, Options: 0.0300%/0.0300% |
| Crypto Wallet | ByBit custodial wallet |
| Deposit Methods | Visa, Mastercard, GPay (instant buy only), Apple Pay (instant buy only), SEPA, Easy Bank Transfer, iDEAL, Zen.com |
| Withdrawal Methods | SEPA Transfers. Zen.com |
Key Pros
- Covers a wide range of tradable crypto coins
- Offers AI-powered trading tools
- Provides various crypto derivatives
- Covers leverage tokens with 3:1 leverage
- Swiss traders can engage in copy trading
Key Cons
- No fiat deposit methods for CHF users
- Exchange platform does not support any of the native languages for Swiss traders
- SEPA transactions incur fees
Kraken
Swiss traders have the opportunity to explore a myriad of investor options once they join Kraken. Being one of the most prominent names in the global crypto trading sector, Kraken knows how to meet every preference of its customers. Licensed and regulated by top-tier regulatory bodies, Kraken is also welcoming crypto investors based in Switzerland, offering them top-tier trading conditions whether they are retail or professional traders.
Spot trading is one of the main services available on Kraken’s exchange platform, with traders having the chance to either fund their accounts via crypto or fiat options or instantly purchase crypto via different payment solutions supported by the Swiss entity. Conveniently enough, Swiss traders will also have a few payment options that support CHF, with no or very few fees applied to transactions.
Swiss members of Kraken will also have the opportunity to engage in Margin trading with leverage of up to 5:1. Meanwhile, those interested in derivatives can also trade crypto futures. Staking cryptocurrencies for the chance of earning yield is also one of the investor options available to Kraken customers.
| Kraken Exchange Details | |
|---|---|
| Min Deposit | $4 |
| Regulations | Registered with FinCEN, Wyoming Division, FINTRAC, FCA, OAM, BoS, CBI, filed for registration in some Canadian jurisdictions |
| Tradable Coins | 50+ |
| Crypto Trading | Spot, Margin, Futures |
| Crypto Leverage | 5:1 (Margin Trading) |
| Maker/Taker Fees | Spot: 0.25%/0.40% Futures: 0.0200%/0.0500% Margin: 0.02% opening fees/0.02% rollover fee per 4 hours |
| Crypto Wallet | Yes |
| Deposit Methods | Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay (instant buy only), GPay (instant buy only), ACH online banking, SIC Bank Transfer, SWIFT Transfer |
| Withdrawal Methods | Visa, Mastercard, ACH online banking |
Key Pros
- Supports payment methods utilizing CHF
- Offers different crypto derivative trading
- Traders can utilize Kraken’s digital wallet
- Margin trading allows leverage of up to 5:1
- Swiss traders can buy crypto instantly via popular e-wallet services
Key Cons
- Maximum CHF deposit limit for 7 days can be low for some traders
- E-wallets can be used only for instant crypto purchases
- SWIFT deposits are not processed instantly
Legal Status of Cryptocurrency Trading in Switzerland
Not only is Switzerland considered one of the leading forces in the global financial sector but it has also proven to be one of the most technologically advanced hubs welcoming cryptocurrencies. One thing that makes Switzerland stand out from other countries is its overview of cryptocurrencies, classifying them as assets rather than categorizing them as securities. Switzerland’s stance on cryptocurrencies means that the ownership and trading of said digital assets is regulated similarly to assets like gold and properties.
The European country has been warming up to the idea of implementing cryptocurrencies as widely accepted payment solutions ever since 2014, with Zurich introducing the first Bitcoin ATMs in the country that year. By 2016, the town of Zug started accepting Bitcoin as a payment solution for various council services. Other Swiss cities have also joined in the adoption of Bitcoin payments for a wide range of services. Meanwhile, Zug has also allowed its citizens to use BTC and ETH to pay their annual taxes, with the proviso that they do not exceed the amount of 100,000 CHF.
Regarding crypto trading, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is the official body responsible for the regulation of the crypto market and financial services related to digital assets. In order to offer crypto trading services to Swiss traders, exchange businesses are required to obtain a relevant license from FINMA. Depending on the nature of the services they intend to provide, entities can apply for four different crypto licenses in Switzerland. These include:
- Fintech license
- Exchange license
- Investment Fund license
- Banking license
FINMA-regulated entities must be fully compliant with the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). In 2019, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) introduced several changes to the standards imposed on VAs and VASPs to strengthen their AML compliance.
In 2021, Switzerland became one of the first countries worldwide to introduce a legal framework for the regulation of blockchain technology, introducing the Blockchain Act. One of the main areas covered by the Act is the provision of a secure legal framework for the trading of rights via electronic registers. The legal documents also introduced the requirement for keeping crypto assets segregated in the case of bankruptcy. Lastly, the Blockchain Act presented a new license category for distributed ledger technology (DLT) trading systems.
What Forms of Crypto Trading Are Legal in Switzerland?
Under the current legal framework regulating crypto trading in Switzerland, traders residing in the country will be able to legally trade cryptocurrencies, choosing from several options for their investments.
Crypto CFDs, which are typically offered by brokerages, are available to Swiss traders as long as they join a broker licensed by FINMA or another prominent European regulator. To provide CFD trading services to Swiss crypto traders, brokers are required to obtain a banking license from the official Swiss regulator.
Businesses that want to be able to offer crypto exchange services to traders based in Switzerland must apply for a crypto license issued by FINMA. Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) are also controlled by the same set of rules and regulations that apply to businesses offering banking services, securities trading, collective investment schemes, and other financial services offered to Swiss residents.
Under Swiss laws, asset tokens also fall under the category of regulated digital assets, representing a debt or an equity claim against the issuer. Such tokens are considered equivalents to derivatives, equities, and bonds. According to FINMA, tokens that allow physical assets to be traded on the blockchain are also classified as asset tokens.
Unlike other countries that have limited the provision of derivatives like futures, perpetuals, and margin crypto trading, Switzerland has adopted a more relaxed approach, allowing licensed exchange platforms to offer Swiss traders a range of crypto derivatives, with leverage also being available to crypto investors engaging in crypto derivative trading.
Who Regulates Crypto Trading in Switzerland
Under the Federal Act on the Adaptation of Federal Law to Developments in Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT Act), also known as Switzerland’s Blockchain Act, the Swiss National Bank is responsible for maintaining the stability of the financial sector in the country. DLT trading facilities also fall under the category of businesses governed by the Swiss National Bank and they must be ready to provide documents and any relevant information that identify the risks to the stability of the financial market in Switzerland.
Swiss authorities regulate the following crypto tokens:
- Payment tokens – cryptocurrencies like Ether and Bitcoin can be used as electronic payment solutions that enable monetary value transfers
- Asset-backed tokens – these are tokens backed by tangible assets, typically launched during the security token offering (STO) process for the purpose of raising funds
- Utility tokens – grant access to a system of service that is typically offered on a particular DLT platform
Based on the category of crypto trading businesses wish to offer to Swiss traders, they must obtain a corresponding license from FINMA. This is the other authority responsible for the regulation of the financial sector in Switzerland, with crypto regulation and licensing also falling under the remit of FINMA.
Based on the nature of crypto-related operations, companies can apply for four different types of FINMA licenses:
- Financial Transaction License – this is the most common license type for crypto activities, allowing licensed entities to accept government deposits of up to 100 million Swiss Francs. This license also allows licensees to store and trade crypto assets that cannot be invested nor they can pay any interest.
- Banking License – this form of FINMA license allows regulated companies to accept an unlimited number of deposits initiated from individuals and legal entities
- Investment Fund License – Enables the supervision of clients’ collective fund assets by a fund manager
- DLT Trading License – This type of license allows the trading of DLT securities
To qualify for a FINMA license, crypto service providers must meet several criteria. Entities that wish to obtain a crypto license can register either as Limited Liability Companies (GmbH) or Companies Limited by Shares (AG). One of the requirements that must be met by license applicants includes a share capital of 20,000 CHF for GmbHs and 100,000 CHF for AGs.
Other conditions that companies must meet before they apply for a crypto license issued by FINMA include registering the company in the Swiss Business and Enterprise Register, opening a Swiss bank account, and employing a local notary who will comply with the submissions or relevant documents. Full information on the licensing steps entities are required to take can be found on the official website of FINMA.
Common Costs Associated with Crypto Trading in Switzerland
We suggest Swiss traders get familiar with the types of fees that may be attached to their crypto trades. Companies authorized to offer crypto trading services to Swiss residents tend to charge small fees in the form of spreads, commissions, or other types of surcharges. Depending on whether you choose to trade crypto CFDs with a broker or you have joined a crypto exchange platform to trade crypto assets, the fees that you pay may differ.
Crypto brokers catering to CFD traders in Switzerland tend to include any surcharges in the spread that applies to crypto crosses. The spread is the difference between the bid and ask price of a crypto asset, with some brokers offering tighter spreads than others. Comparing spreads on major crypto pairs across different brokers is a smart way to identify the entities that offer the best spreads.
In most cases, brokers choose to apply no commission on CFD crypto orders. Instead, they include this type of charge in the spread. However, there are some brokers that apply a specific commission rate on closing and opening positions, affecting the end price traders pay for their CFD trades.
Those who decide to trade cryptocurrencies via crypto exchanges should be aware that any exchange company charges a maker or taker fee depending on the execution time and the type of your orders. Maker fees are charged on orders that create liquidity, which also means their execution takes more time. Meanwhile, taker fees are charged on orders executed instantly or almost instantly. Since taker fees “take” from the market, they tend to be higher than maker fees that contribute to the liquidity of the market.
The great thing about maker/taker fees at most exchanges is the option to reduce their rates by increasing your monthly trading volume. The more crypto you trade during a 30-day period, the lower the maker/taker fees tend to get, with many platforms allowing high-volume traders to pay zero maker fees.
Spreads are also present at crypto exchanges, yet again representing the gap between the bid and ask price of a crypto asset. Spreads offered by crypto exchanges are variable and tend to change very often. Since some orders tend to be executed slower, it should be also considered that there might be a slippage, which means that the spread at the time of execution may be different than the one that was applicable at the time you placed your trade in the order book of the exchange.
Fiat payment methods can be used to deposit funds to your trading account, no matter whether you decide to trade with a broker or exchange. Withdrawals from trading accounts are also allowed, letting traders get access to their investments. However, some trading platforms tend to apply fees on deposits and withdrawals carried out via some payment methods. We suggest Swiss traders always check any applicable surcharges before they initiate deposits or withdrawals.
Since exchanges also offer P2P purchases of crypto via a range of fiat methods, another type of surcharge may be applied to a trader’s transaction. Fees on P2P purchases of crypto vary as they depend on the volume of the purchase, the fiat method that traders use, and different market conditions that affect crypto-related fees.
Are Profits from Crypto Trading Taxed in Switzerland?
According to the Federal Tax Administration (FTA), cryptocurrencies fall into the same taxable category as bonds, shares, and fiat currencies. That means profits from trading cryptocurrencies are not subject to Capital Gains tax (CG) but any profit from trading crypto is considered an amount that incurs a Wealth tax, which is regulated on a cantonal basis. However, Swiss crypto traders are exempted from CG tax only if they are classified as private investors and they do not trade crypto as professional/institutional traders.
To be qualified as private investors, Swiss traders must fulfill the following requirements:
- The securities/crypto assets that are withdrawn by the investor must have been held for at least six months.
- Investors’ total transaction volume (the cumulative amount of all purchases and sales proceeds) per calendar year must not exceed 5x the value of the crypto assets and credit balances at the beginning of the tax period.
- The capital gains accumulated from crypto trading must not be used as a means of covering living costs. This is usually the case when the realized capital gains represent less than 50% of the entire taxable income earned during the tax period.
- Investors’ trades are not financed by borrowing, or the taxable income from the investments (e.g. interest, dividends, etc.) is more than the proportional debit interest.
- Derivatives (in particular options) have been bought and sold to hedge the investor’s own securities positions.
How to Pick Quality Crypto Brokers for Swiss Traders
To be able to pick the best trading platform for their needs, Swiss traders must keep an eye out for a few factors. We would like to start off by emphasizing the importance of trading crypto, as well as other instruments, with reputable and regulated brokers.
We recommend Swiss crypto traders trust brokers that have been licensed and are regulated by FINMA and other reputable financial watchdogs. That ensures access to tools like negative balance protection, investor compensation schemes, and other tools dedicated to reducing the risk while trading.
Supported crypto assets are also something to consider as some brokers have a wider selection of tradable cryptocurrencies. There are also several brokerages that offer the additional option of trading crypto indices, which include multiple popular cryptocurrencies. While CFD trading is the main way brokers offer their customers to invest in crypto, several brands also have exchange platforms that allow purchasing, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies.
Applicable fees are definitely a factor to consider as competitive spreads and low commissions are often used to attract investors. We recommend comparing the overall trading cost brokers are offering as tight spreads can sometimes be overshadowed by higher commission rates.
Switzerland Crypto Brokers Q&A
Yes. Many brokers catering to Swiss crypto traders will also allow their customers to use negative balance protection as an additional risk-assessment tool. However, it should be noted that this investor protection feature is available only to retail crypto traders.
Yes. Brokers offering crypto CFDs to Swiss traders often allow the usage of leverage to potentially increase the return on successful trades. The maximum leverage offered to retail Swiss crypto traders may vary but it usually stands at 10:1. Those who qualify for professional crypto trading accounts will be able to lift the limitations and use higher leverage on crypto CFDs.
Is it better to be considered a private investor in Switzerland or apply for a professional crypto trading account?
One of the advantages of trading crypto as a retail trader is avoiding the Capital Gains Tax on your crypto profits. Despite that, even if you fall under the category of a private investor, you still are required to pay a Wealth Tax, which is determined on a cantonal level. Meanwhile, if you qualify for a professional crypto trading account, you can avoid some limits that apply to retail accounts. Although you will need to pay a CG tax, as a professional crypto trader you can deduce losses from the total amount you claim as a taxable amount.
Yes. The majority of crypto exchanges catering to traders based in Switzerland have obtained multiple crypto licenses that allow the provision of several forms of crypto trading. Since Switzerland regulates derivatives (such as options, futures, perpetuals, etc.) as securities, the current regulatory system has not banned such offerings.
Yes. Many crypto exchanges licensed to operate in Switzerland also offer their clients the option to earn yield as they stake popular cryptocurrencies. The rate of the yield varies depending on the type of crypto asset that is being staked as well as the exchange’s staking policy.