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Switzerland
Aug 5, 2026

Switzerland's SRO Model Lets Crypto Firms Complete Compliance Checks in 2-4 Months

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.

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Switzerland's SRO Model Lets Crypto Firms Complete Compliance Checks in 2-4 Months
Switzerland
Aug 5, 2026

Switzerland Opens AML Route for Crypto Firms via SROs as Four Bodies Tighten Standards

Switzerland is offering crypto companies a route to anti-money laundering compliance through self-regulatory organizations (SROs). The model applies to smaller exchanges, brokers, and custody wallet providers, which can join an SRO under the authorization framework of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). In this setup, the SRO reviews the company's AML controls. Firms acting as financial intermediaries — handling token exchanges, customer wallet custody, or payment token issuance — must hold a full FINMA license or become SRO members. VQF, PolyReg, ARIF, and SO-FIT oversee most of these crypto activities; after a company submits its business plan, organizational structure, and AML procedures, reviews are typically completed in two to four months. In early 2026, the four SROs jointly raised the minimum standards for virtual asset service providers, adding coverage of transaction monitoring, blockchain analysis, and technical controls. At the end of 2025, the Swiss Federal Council launched a consultation on new license categories under the Financial Institutions Act, covering crypto custody, trading infrastructure, and payment token issuance.

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Switzerland Opens AML Route for Crypto Firms via SROs as Four Bodies Tighten Standards
India
Jul 24, 2026

Indian parliamentary panel proposes interim crypto oversight led by an SRO

India’s Standing Committee on Finance has recommended that the government set up an interim regulatory framework for the domestic cryptocurrency and virtual digital asset market, according to FinanceFeeds. The proposal would place a recognized self-regulatory organization, or SRO, at the center of day-to-day oversight. The committee said the lack of a clear legal framework leaves millions of retail investors exposed to operational, custody and fraud risks. Under the proposal, the SRO would work under the direct supervision of either the Reserve Bank of India or the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Its remit would include enforcing a standardized code of conduct, covering consumer protection, platform transparency and token disclosure standards. The committee also said the SRO should audit exchange reserves, require the segregation of customer funds from company funds, and create channels for user complaints. The panel stressed that any interim SRO structure must remain under strict central bank or securities regulator oversight to address broader macroeconomic risks, including cross-border capital flows, stablecoin dollarization, tax evasion and violations of foreign exchange management rules.

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Indian parliamentary panel proposes interim crypto oversight led by an SRO