In recent years, Switzerland has transformed into one of the most attractive jurisdictions for fintech and cryptocurrency companies, combining legal certainty and a clear regulatory framework with a deep financial ecosystem. According to the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), most professional non-bank financial intermediaries must be directly regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) or join a self-regulatory organization (SRO) recognized by FINMA; thus, SRO membership is the standard route for payment, cryptocurrency, and related services to achieve compliance in Switzerland.
What is an SRO?
A self-regulatory organization (SRO) is an institution recognized by FINMA that is responsible for translating the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) into industry-specific rules, supervising its members, and conducting anti-money laundering audits. Unless directly regulated by FINMA, many non-bank financial intermediaries must join an SRO.
Who needs SRO membership?
Financial intermediaries under the jurisdiction of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) (i.e., certain payment services and non-bank financial service providers, trustees, etc.) must be directly regulated by FINMA or join a recognized SRO. FINMA publishes a list of recognized SROs and a member search tool, which you can use to check if your company is eligible.
SRO Membership: What business can you conduct?
Having Swiss SRO membership means your business has obtained a "passport" to legally provide financial and crypto asset services in Switzerland and throughout the European Economic Area (EEA), without the immediate need to apply for a MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) license. Additionally, you can conduct direct marketing activities around your platform (provided you comply with the regulations of the target market).
For fintech companies, registering as an SRO member is a direct way to quickly start operations in Switzerland. With Switzerland's excellent financial reputation, clear tax system, and business-friendly environment, this not only facilitates business operations in Switzerland but also provides significant convenience for global operations.
The specific business scope includes:
Payment Processing
Provide payment solutions and handle related tasks.
Support cash withdrawals from payment accounts.
Execute transfers of funds or cryptocurrencies, including electronic transfers.
Accept or assist in the transfer of third-party assets.
Crypto Services
Provide crypto asset custody services, including: segregated wallets (no limit) and omnibus wallets (limit of 1 million Swiss francs).
Conduct ICOs, STOs, or ISPOs, and have the capability to issue stablecoins pegged 1:1 to fiat currency.
Operate crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto exchanges.
Card Issuing Services
Issue and manage payment instruments.
Act as a payment service provider.
Provide credit card and debit card services.
Brokerage and Trading
Trade cryptocurrencies, foreign exchange, precious metals, and commodities.
Financial Intermediation (Credit and Loan Business)
Facilitate loans between third parties in cryptocurrencies or fiat currency for clients.
Use client funds (custody, exchange).
Earn interest income or commissions.
Accepting Public Deposits
Accept public deposits (limit of 100 million Swiss francs).
Tax Advantages in Switzerland
Corporate income tax 11-12% (e.g., in the canton of Zug).
No capital gains tax.
Value-added tax (VAT): 8.1%.
Reputation and stability: The stability guaranteed by Switzerland as a global financial leader.
Multifunctional services: Licenses covering payment and cryptocurrency services.
High-end talent: Switzerland has leading financial professionals.
Reasonable time frame: Quickly start fintech business.
Main Requirements for Applying for an SRO License
Company Registration: Establish a company according to Swiss company law.
Staffing: Appoint a local Anti-Money Laundering (AML) officer and a local director.
Registered Capital Requirements: Pay the required registered capital according to the company type (Sarl is 20,000 Swiss francs, SA is 100,000 Swiss francs).
Office Address: Set up a physical office in Switzerland.
Bank Account: Open a company bank account and custody account.
Approval Time: 4-5 months after submission.
How Ouxin Can Help
Ouxin provides tailored one-stop SRO application and ongoing compliance service packages for non-bank financial service providers:
SRO application eligibility assessment;
Gap analysis against the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and the selected SRO;
Drafting Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) policies and procedures (including: Know Your Customer (KYC), Customer Due Diligence (CDD), transaction monitoring, sanctions screening);
Preparation of application material package (including: business plan, organizational chart, AML officer appointment, internal controls, IT and security description);
Coordinate with Swiss lawyers to review final documents and submit the SRO application;
Post-approval compliance support (including: policy updates, annual audit response).
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About Ouxin
Ouxin Overseas Asset Allocation Consulting Company is an international consulting firm established in Europe, mainly assisting clients in the UK, Ireland, Portugal, Lithuania, Malta, and other countries with services including overseas fund establishment, overseas financial license application, overseas company establishment, overseas bank account opening, overseas real estate investment, and second identity planning.
Currently, the company can assist clients in applying for financial licenses including: forex broker license, electronic banking license, payment license, fund license, offshore trust license, and digital currency license.
Phone: +353 870567755
Email: Info@ouxin.consulting
Website:https://ouxin.consulting/
