Best Crypto Exchanges in Switzerland

Best Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Switzerland

In order to identify the best exchanges in Switzerland, we have tried and tested the 24 digital asset trading platforms available in the country. Our examination considered adherence to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) regulations, CHF deposit methods, pricing, asset diversity, and features. Here is a comparison table of the top 5 exchanges for Swiss investors.

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1. Kraken

Kraken is the best exchange in Switzerland, offering access to over 290 cryptocurrencies for spot trading. For professional traders, Kraken Pro delivers an advanced trading experience with an OTC desk, customizable order types, deep liquidity, and high rate limits for fast execution. Beyond spot markets, it supports derivatives trading on over 100 futures contracts with 5x leverage.

Launched in 2011, Kraken has built a reputation for its commitment to transparency, evidenced by its rigorous proof-of-reserves audits. The exchange also features a staking service, an NFT marketplace, and the Kraken Wallet. Customer support is available 24/7 through live chat and email, providing assistance in multiple languages, including German, Italian and French.

• Fees: Maker fees start at 0.16%, with taker fees at 0.26%.
• Supported Assets: Over 290 cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Registered as a VASP in Europe and available in Switzerland.
• CHF Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, credit card, debit card, SIC transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Frick and SWIFT.

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2. Bybit

Bybit is a platform specialising in derivatives, offering a high-performance trading experience with more than 400 futures, options, and perpetual contracts that support up to 200x leverage. With over 1,500 cryptocurrencies available for spot trading, Swiss users can trade confidently on a platform that provides unique features like copy trading, trading bots, an Islamic account and TradeGPT. 

Additionally, Bybit provides a range of earning options, including staking, flexible savings, fixed-term investments, plus lending and borrowing services. The Bybit Card also enables users to spend crypto directly with cashback rewards and up to 8% APR. As a global exchange, it can be used in Italian, German, and French, providing live customer support in all three languages.

• Fees: Maker fee of 0.02% and taker fee of 0.055% for derivatives; 0.1% for spot trading.
• Supported Assets: Over 1,500 cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Licensed by CySEC and available in Switzerland.
• CHF Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, SEPA, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SIC, SWIFT, credit cards, and debit cards.

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3. Bitpanda

Bitpanda offers access to 3,000 cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, commodities, and precious metals. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for beginners to invest, while advanced features like Bitpanda Crypto Index and limit orders cater to experienced traders. The platform is regulated in Switzerland and adheres to compliance standards, with ISO27001-certified security and offline fund storage. 

The platform offers staking features like the Bitpanda Savings Plan and Bitpanda Cash Plus, which allow users to earn yields on crypto and fiat currencies like USD and GBP. The Bitpanda Card, a Visa card with Bitcoin cashback, lets users spend their crypto and earn rewards. There are also BEST rewards, where users can claim more than 15% additional BEST tokens a year.

• Fees: Trading spreads average around 1.49% for crypto.
• Supported Assets: Over 3,000 cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, indices, and precious metals.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) and BaFin in Germany.‍
• CHF Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, debit cards and credit cards.

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4. SwissBorg

SwissBorg is based in Lausanne, offering a local, feature-rich platform for buying, selling, and managing 125 cryptocurrencies. Its unique Thematics feature lets users invest in curated bundles aligned with themes like DeFi, allowing them to diversify across sectors with a single transaction. The platform’s Smart Engine aggregates prices from leading exchanges, ensuring optimal execution. 

The Earn feature provides opportunities to generate passive income by staking assets on trusted DeFi protocols, with returns from platforms such as Compound, Aave, and Binance. SwissBorg’s advanced analytics tools, including the Portfolio Visualizer and Hourly Asset Analysis, offer users insights into market trends, enabling them to make informed investment decisions. 

• Fees: 1.5% trading fee with reduced costs for BORG holders.
• Supported Assets: 125 cryptocurrencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Registered with the Financial Market Authority under #E2022-034.
• CHF Deposit Methods: Bank transfer, SEPA, SWIFT, credit cards and debit cards.

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5. Uphold

Uphold is excellent for beginners, offering simple, one-step trading across cryptocurrencies, precious metals, and even fiat currencies. Known for its transparency and trust, Uphold publicly displays its assets and liabilities every 30 seconds, ensuring that user funds are never loaned out. Its commitment to transparency and ease of use has made it a trusted choice for 10 million users.

In addition to crypto trading, Uphold offers up to 4.9% APY on USD balances with no lock-up requirements and provides an Uphold Vault for secure asset storage. Uphold also supports dollar-cost averaging (DCA) through its automated “UpHODL” feature. With SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS certifications, Uphold meets rigorous standards for data security and privacy.

• Fees: Cryptocurrency trades range between 0.6% - 1.8%.
• Supported Assets: Over 250 cryptocurrencies, precious metals and national currencies.
• Regulation & Licensing: Regulated by the FCA, the Republic of Lithuania and available in Switzerland.
• CHF Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, credit cards, debit cards, and SEPA transfers.

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Is Crypto Regulated in Switzerland?

Yes, cryptocurrency is regulated and overseen by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), which sets clear guidelines for crypto asset trading, licensing, and compliance. Unlike many nations, Switzerland classifies cryptocurrencies as an asset class, similar to property or gold, which impacts taxation and legal protections around ownership and transfers. 

Switzerland has actively encouraged crypto adoption since 2016, which is evident from Zug, now known as Crypto Valley, pioneering Bitcoin payment options for government services and Zurich introducing early Bitcoin ATMs. These initiatives have since grown, with cities like Lugano now accepting Bitcoin, Tether, and the LVGA Points token as legal tender, even for tax payments.

FINMA offers several types of licenses, including options for fintech, exchange, and investment funds, making Switzerland’s ecosystem one of the most adaptable and supportive for crypto businesses. The nation’s regulatory environment promotes innovation, as seen in its strict anti-money laundering (AML) policies under the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).

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How is Crypto Taxed in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, cryptocurrency taxation is overseen by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (SFTA), which considers cryptocurrencies assets like property. This classification means that crypto holdings are subject to wealth tax, and any gains from selling crypto are taxed based on income for professional traders. 

However, private investors generally avoid capital gains tax on crypto if they meet specific criteria. These can include minimal trading frequency, a holding period of at least six months, and a low reliance on leverage. Switzerland exempts crypto-to-fiat transactions from VAT, which is in line with its overall supportive stance toward digital assets. 

Companies operating in the crypto sector pay corporate tax on worldwide income if registered in Switzerland, following the same rules as other businesses. Additionally, if a crypto firm employs staff, social security contributions apply, covering pensions, insurance, and other standard benefits.

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How to Buy Bitcoin in Switzerland

Swiss investors looking to buy Bitcoin can start by choosing a regulated exchange that supports Swiss franc (CHF) deposits and complies with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). Here’s a quick guide to get you started:

1. Create an Account: Sign up with a licensed Swiss exchange. You’ll need to enter basic information like your name and email. Before trading, complete identity verification by uploading a government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or Swiss ID.
2. Deposit CHF: Go to the deposit section on your dashboard, enter the amount of Swiss francs (CHF) you wish to invest, and choose a payment method. Many exchanges in Switzerland offer convenient options like bank transfers and credit card payments.
3. Find Bitcoin: In the trading section, search for Bitcoin by typing “BTC.” Select the CHF/BTC trading pair and fill in the transaction details.
4. Execute the Trade: Enter the amount of Bitcoin you want to acquire, review the transaction, and confirm.

This guide provides Swiss users with a straightforward process, from setting up an account to completing their first Bitcoin transaction in a secure environment.

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Bottom Line

Finding the best crypto exchange in Switzerland will depend on your personal trading objectives and preferences. For Swiss users, we recommend platforms that adhere to Swiss regulatory standards, such as Kraken, Bybit, Bitpanda, SwissBorg, and Uphold.

Each of these exchanges provides distinct features catering to different experience levels, ensuring that Swiss investors have secure options.