Summary
Cryptocurrency is legal and regulated in Switzerland. The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) oversees crypto activities. Popular payment methods include bank transfers and credit cards. The Swiss franc (CHF) is widely supported. Key regulations include the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Act. Switzerland’s crypto-friendly approach attracts numerous exchanges and blockchain projects. Here are the best crypto exchanges in Switzerland:
Best Crypto Exchanges in Switzerland
This article examines the top cryptocurrency exchanges available to Swiss residents. We’ll explore the specific features that cater to the Swiss market, including support for the Swiss franc (CHF) and preferred payment methods such as bank transfers and credit cards.
1. Bybit
Users:
40m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus
$30,000
Cryptos:
600+
Leverage:
100x
Spot Fees:
0.1%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.055%
Pros
- Low fees
- 600+ supported crypto assets
- 100x leverage and deep liquidity
- Advanced order types and additional features
- Great 24/7 customer support
- Automated copy trading
Cons
- Regulatory uncertainty in Europe and USA
- May be confusing for beginners
- Cryptocurrency investments carry high risks
Overview
Bybit stands out as one of the most advanced crypto exchanges with deep liquidity and low fees. Bybit users can trade Spot, Futures, Options, NFTs, and even Inscriptions. Additionally, Bybit offers copy trading and bot trading to automate your income streams. Bybit copy trading is one of the best in the crypto industry.
Where Bybit excels is its derivatives platform with 320+ perpetual futures contracts and up to 100x leverage. With advanced order types such as TWAP or Iceberg orders, Bybit caters to experienced traders seeking the best options.
On the spot market, Bybit supports over 500 cryptos and up to 10x margin, making Bybit a versatile crypto exchange.
With low fees of 0.1% maker and 0.1% taker for spot trading and 0.02% maker and 0.055% taker for futures trading, Bybit has highly competitive fees. To top it all off, Bybit offers fee discounts based on your 30-day trading volume. The more you trade, the more you save.
2. BitPanda
Users:
3m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus:
None
Cryptos:
200+
Leverage:
3x (Spot Margin)
Spot Fees:
0.25%
Futures Fees:
Not Supported
Pros
- Most beginner-friendly exchange
- Fully regulated and licensed in EU
- Great customer support
- Reputable with over 100 million users
Cons
- Lacks advanced features
- Very high trading fees
- No futures trading
- Not suitable for active crypto traders
Bitpanda Overview
Bitpanda is one of the oldest crypto trading platforms located in Austria. Since its launch in 2014, Bitpanda has been offering premium crypto services including access to over 3000 digital assets like crypto, stocks, precious metals, and crypto indices.
Users can access fees as low as 0.25% for both makers and takers on spot trading. The fees can be reduced to as low as 0% for makers and 0.01% for takers depending on your 30-day trading volume.
What sets Bitpanda apart is its user-friendly trading experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced trader, you’ll find everything you need to trade in Bitpanda Pro.
You’ll have access to real-time candlestick charts and a trading terminal. You’ll also have access to advanced order types, an order book, and more. Additionally, Bitpanda provides 2x leverage with margin close-out controls that trigger at 50% of the original margin.
3. MEXC
Users:
15m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus
$20,000
Cryptos:
2400+
Leverage:
200x
Spot Fees:
0.02%
Futures Fees:
0%/0.02%
Pros
- Lowest Trading Fees
- 2000+ supported crypto assets
- 200x leverage and deep liquidity
- 24/7 customer support
- Best for altcoin and leverage trading
Cons
- Not available in the US
- Newly launched coins pose high risk
- May request KYC in the future
Overview
MEXC is known as the crypto exchange with the lowest fees. What makes MEXC stand out is its 0% maker fee offer, meaning you can trade without any fees. However, the spot and futures taker fees start at 0.02%. No crypto exchange can compete with the MEXC fee structure.
If you are a day trader seeking high leverage, MEXC may be one of your best options. With 200x leverage over 400 futures contracts and by far the lowest fees, MEXC is truly a day trading heaven.
Even if you are not interested in leverage trading, MEXC has you covered with over 2000 supported cryptocurrencies on the spot market. While MEXC offers tons of new altcoins, we recommend being cautious as the legitimacy of newly listed projects may be questionable.
All in all, MEXC is arguably the best option for high-frequency traders seeking low fees to get the best value for money.
4. Coinbase
Users:
100m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus:
$10
Cryptos:
250+
Leverage:
5x
Spot Fees:
0.4%/0.6%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.05%
Pros
- Most beginner-friendly exchange
- Fully regulated and licensed
- Great customer support
- Reputable with over 100 million users
- Comprehensive fiat deposit methods
- Great wallet for on-chain access
Cons
- Lacks advanced features
- Very high spot trading fees
- Poor liquidity
Coinbase Overview
Coinbase is one of the largest and most well-known cryptocurrency exchanges for buying cryptos.The platform currently has a user community of over 100 million users worldwide. What makes Coinbase special is its user-friendly interface. The platform is designed to be easy to use, making it accessible for beginners. Coinbase offers a clean and intuitive interface for buying, selling, and managing cryptocurrencies.
Crypto traders have access to over 250 cryptos for active trading. One downside of Coinbase is the fee structure. When you place an order at the market price that gets filled immediately, you are considered a taker and will pay a fee of 0.60%, which is very expensive.
Another thing about Coinbase is that it offers a wide range of crypto services. These include wallets, NFT, crypto staking, Coinbase cards, and many more to help improve the overall trading experience on the platform. One of our favorite features is the Coinbase wallet.
It is suitable for beginners but also offers advanced trading tools including real-time charts, technical indicators, and many more for advanced traders.
5. Binance
Users:
200m
Free Demo:
Mobile App:
Bonus:
$100
Cryptos:
400+
Leverage:
125x
Spot Fees:
0.1%
Futures Fees:
0.02%/0.05%
Pros
- Most comprehensive crypto exchange
- Most advanced features and products
- 24/7 customer support
- 400+ cryptocurrencies
- Reputable with over 200 million users
- Best liquidity
Cons
- Not beginner friendly
- Restricted in many regions due to regulations
- EU traders must use BNFCR for futures trading
Overview
Reaching over 200 million registered users in 2024, Binance is by far the largest crypto exchange in the world. The platform is incredibly comprehensive, offering crypto traders all the tools they need to make a profit in the crypto market.
With over 400 cryptocurrencies to trade, leverage of up to 125x, directly integrated charts from TradingView with tons of technical analysis tools, and many more features, Binance has secured its spot as one of the best crypto exchanges.
Binance offers a wide variety of products, including spot, margin, futures, and options trading, staking, lending, P2P, automated bot trading, copy trading, and even an NFT marketplace. It is safe to say that crypto geeks will find everything they are looking for on Binance.
The trading fees on Binance are very affordable. Binance charges 0.1% trading fees on the spot market (makers and takers alike), which is the industry standard. Where Binance excels is the futures market with fees of only 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers.
Is Crypto Legal and Regulated in Switzerland?
Cryptocurrency is legal in Switzerland, and the country has established a comprehensive regulatory framework. The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) oversees crypto activities and has categorized tokens into payment, utility, and asset tokens. Each category is subject to specific regulations.
In 2021, Switzerland implemented the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Act, which provides a clear legal basis for trading rights through tokenized securities. This law also establishes licensing requirements for DLT trading facilities.
The Swiss Fintech License, introduced in 2019, allows companies to accept public deposits of up to 100 million Swiss francs, facilitating innovation in the crypto space. Additionally, Switzerland’s State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) actively works on adapting the regulatory framework to address the challenges and opportunities presented by blockchain and distributed ledger technology.
Is Crypto Taxable in Switzerland?
Cryptocurrency taxation in Switzerland is complex and depends on various factors. Generally, cryptocurrencies are treated as assets for tax purposes. The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) provides guidelines on crypto taxation.
For individuals, capital gains from private crypto investments are typically tax-exempt. However, professional trading can be subject to income tax. Wealth tax applies to the total value of cryptocurrencies held at the end of the tax year, based on the market value in Swiss francs.
For businesses, cryptocurrencies are treated as current assets and subject to corporate income tax. The tax rate varies by canton, ranging from approximately 11.9% to 21.6%.
Mining income is generally considered taxable, and miners may be required to register as self-employed. The tax treatment can vary depending on whether mining is conducted as a hobby or a professional activity.
Disclaimer:
Tax laws are subject to change, and individual circumstances may vary. It is strongly advised to consult with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for personalized guidance on cryptocurrency taxation in Switzerland.
How to Buy Crypto in Switzerland
Purchasing cryptocurrency in Switzerland is a straightforward process, thanks to the country’s crypto-friendly regulations and infrastructure. We recommend using Bybit for its competitive fees, extensive selection of cryptocurrencies, and support for Swiss franc (CHF) transactions.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to buying cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDT in Switzerland:
- Choose a Crypto Exchange: Select a reliable exchange that supports Swiss francs (CHF) and complies with Swiss regulations. Ensure the platform offers suitable payment methods and adheres to KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements.
- Create an Account and Verify Identity: Sign up for an account on your chosen exchange. Complete the identity verification process by submitting valid ID documents, such as a passport or national ID, along with proof of your address.
- Fund Your Account: Deposit Swiss francs into your exchange account using popular payment options like SEPA bank transfers, credit or debit cards, or e-wallet services such as PayPal.
- Pick a Cryptocurrency: Head to the trading section and select the cryptocurrency you wish to buy. Common choices include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or stablecoins like Tether (USDT).
- Make Your Purchase: Input the amount of CHF you want to invest or the amount of cryptocurrency you’d like to buy. Double-check the details before finalizing the transaction.
- Secure Your Assets: After purchasing, transfer your funds to a secure wallet. For enhanced security, consider using a hardware wallet, especially for long-term storage.
Remember to stay informed about market conditions and only invest what you can afford to lose. Cryptocurrency investments can be volatile and carry risks.
Best Crypto Wallets in Switzerland
Selecting a secure wallet is crucial for safeguarding your cryptocurrency investments in Switzerland. Here are some top options:
- Ledger: A hardware wallet known for its robust security features. Ledger devices store private keys offline, providing protection against online threats.
- Trezor: Another reputable hardware wallet option, Trezor offers secure storage for multiple cryptocurrencies and integrates with various platforms.
- Trust Wallet: A popular mobile wallet that supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies and decentralized applications (DApps). It’s user-friendly and suitable for everyday transactions.
- Exodus: A desktop and mobile wallet with an intuitive interface. Exodus supports many cryptocurrencies and offers built-in exchange features.
- MetaMask: A browser extension wallet primarily used for Ethereum and ERC-20 tokens. It’s essential for interacting with decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.
Always stay updated on market trends and only invest funds you can afford to lose, as cryptocurrency markets can be highly volatile and risky.
Bottom Line
For Swiss residents seeking the best crypto exchanges Switzerland, Bybit and BitPanda stand out as top choices. Bybit offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies, competitive fees, and robust security measures. BitPanda provides a user-friendly interface and excellent support for Swiss franc transactions. Both platforms comply with Swiss regulations, ensuring a secure trading environment. These exchanges offer the ideal combination of features, security, and ease of use for Swiss crypto enthusiasts.
