Where world-class technology meets Swiss reliability
The Greater Zurich Area has evolved into a global fintech and blockchain hub, thanks to factors like access to talent, leading research institutes, innovation-friendly regulators, investors and industry partners. Switzerland, and particularly Crypto Valley in the Greater Zurich Area, has been at the forefront of digitization and disruptive technologies, and start-ups in the area have access to a variety of incubators and accelerators that support them in establishing a company and developing ideas and products.
Reach out for expert advice and insights
Reach out for expert advice and insights
Do you want more insights into the Swiss legal framework regarding blockchain and Fintech? Do you need legal expertise?
Reach out to us, we are here to help.
Legal framework for Fintech and blockchain companies
Switzerland is known as one of the most stable countries in the world and thus offers the ideal environment for fintech and blockchain companies, which heavily rely on legal certainty like protection of property, data protection laws, confidentiality, and a politically stable environment.
The Swiss legal and political system is a major competitive advantage for fintech companies. In fact, fintech companies benefit from low corporate and individual tax rates, a high number of double tax treaties, and approachable, pragmatic authorities.
Recent legal adaptions have reduced market entry barriers for fintech companies even more and strengthened the competitiveness of the Swiss financial center:
- A business-model-neutral fintech license was introduced in 2019, which allows public deposits of up to 100 million Swiss Francs. This makes access to the Swiss market for blockchain and crypto companies much easier. Such fintech banking licenses were granted to SEBA and Sygnum, thus making them the first crypto banks in the world.
- SIX Digital Exchange (SDX) was authorized as the world’s first regulated, fully integrated digital trading, settlement, and custody infrastructure exchange for digital assets by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority – FINMA. With this license, SDX enjoys the same high standards of oversight and regulation as the traditional financial market infrastructure since 2021.
- In 2021, the federal council implemented a new DLT framework which makes Switzerland one of the first countries to offer advanced regulatory solutions and specific amendments for fintech.
These extensions of legal possibilities have attracted many foreign companies to set up their headquarters in Switzerland and especially in the Greater Zurich Area and allow emerging technologies to thrive even more.
Disover the Why, How, and Costs of expanding your business into the Greater Zurich Area:
Meet with an expert
Meet with an expert
Let us connect you with the right person to learn more about how the Greater Zurich Area Ltd can support your business needs.
Our services are free of charge and include:
- Introductions to key contacts in industry, academia and government
- Advice on regulatory framework, taxes, labor market and setting up a company
- Custom-made fact-finding visits including office and co-working space
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