Switzerland has built an anti-money-laundering compliance path for crypto companies through self-regulatory organizations (SROs). Smaller exchanges, brokers and custody wallet providers can join an SRO under FINMA's authorization framework, with the SRO reviewing their AML controls. Crypto firms engaged in token exchange, customer wallet custody or payment token issuance must hold a full FINMA license or become SRO members. Four SROs — VQF, PolyReg, ARIF and SO-FIT — supervise most crypto activity; after a company submits its business plan, organizational structure and AML procedures, review typically takes two to four months. In early 2026, the four SROs jointly raised minimum standards for virtual asset service providers, covering transaction monitoring, blockchain analysis and technical controls. The Swiss Federal Council also launched a consultation in late 2025 on new license categories under the Financial Institutions Act for crypto custody, trading infrastructure and payment instrument issuance.
Switzerland is opening a compliance lane for crypto firms: self-regulatory organizations, or SROs, now handle much of the anti-money-laundering screening.
Smaller exchanges, brokers and custody wallet providers can join an SRO under the authorization framework of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). The SRO then reviews the company's AML controls.
Token exchange, customer wallet custody and payment token issuance all count as financial intermediary activity in Switzerland. Companies doing this work must either hold a full FINMA license or sign up with an SRO. Four SROs — VQF, PolyReg, ARIF and SO-FIT — supervise most crypto activity in the country. After a firm submits its business plan, organizational structure and AML procedures, the review typically closes out in two to four months.
In early 2026, PolyReg, VQF, ARIF and SO-FIT jointly raised minimum standards for virtual asset service providers. The new requirements cover transaction monitoring, blockchain analysis and technical controls. The Swiss Federal Council, for its part, opened a consultation at the end of 2025 on fresh license categories under the Financial Institutions Act — covering crypto custody, trading infrastructure and payment instrument issuance.
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