Switzerland
A list of ways to purchase bitcoin in Switzerland.
Bitpanda
Bitpanda is a regulated European crypto exchange with licenses across multiple EU countries. Users can buy Bitcoin using SEPA transfers, credit/debit cards, iDEAL, SOFORT, Skrill, NETELLER and more payment methods. Features include a built-in wallet and mobile apps.
Coinbase
Coinbase is fully licensed and available in Switzerland. Coinbase operates under Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) regulations, which oversees cryptocurrency activities in Switzerland.
Kraken
Kraken is available in Switzerland. Users can buy Bitcoin using SEPA transfers, wire transfers, and Apple Pay. Must convert CHF to EUR/USD first.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
If I Bought Bitcoin
See how much you would have made if you bought Bitcoin in the past.
Transaction Fees
A look at the transaction fees for each exchange, both spread and commission.
- Spread fee: Exchanges may charge a higher price than the actual price of Bitcoin.
- Fee: Exchange fee for the transaction.
- Total fees: The sum of the spread fee and the fee.
Exchange | Spread Fee | Fee | Total Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Kraken | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Bitpanda | 1.5% | 0.0% | 1.5% |
Coinbase | 1.0% | 2.99% | 3.99% |
Actual fees may vary. Fees are subject to change. Fee estimates based on our research and testing. Some exchanges may charge less depending on volume.
Estimated Fees on Fr.100
An estimate of the fees for buying Fr.100 worth of Bitcoin using a bank account.
Exchange | Total Cost on Fr.100 |
---|---|
Kraken | 0.4 |
Bitpanda | 1.5 |
Coinbase | 3.99 |
History of Bitcoin in Switzerland
Switzerland has played a significant role in Bitcoin's history. In 2013, the city of Zug installed its first Bitcoin ATM and began accepting Bitcoin for municipal services, earning it the nickname 'Crypto Valley'. In 2014, FINMA became one of the first regulators worldwide to issue comprehensive cryptocurrency guidelines. That same year, Bitcoin Suisse AG launched as one of the country's first crypto-financial service providers.
In 2016, the Swiss national railway company SBB began selling Bitcoin at over 1,000 ticket machines nationwide. A major milestone came in 2018 when Hypothekarbank Lenzburg became the first Swiss bank to provide business accounts to blockchain and cryptocurrency companies. In 2021, the Swiss canton of Zug began accepting tax payments in Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Financial & Regulatory Licenses
Exchange | Licenses & Regulation |
---|---|
Bitpanda | Registered VASP in Austria, France, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Sweden and Norway. Licensed by BaFin in Germany for crypto custody and trading. |
Coinbase | Chartered by New York State Department of Financial Services for virtual currency. |
Kraken | Registered money services business with FinCEN (USA). |
Deposit Fees
These are fees exchanges may charge for deposits. Fees are subject to change.
Exchange | Deposit Fees |
---|---|
Bitpanda |
SEPA: Free |
Coinbase |
ACH: Free Wire: $10 USD SEPA: €0.15 EUR SWIFT: Free |
Kraken |
ACH: $0 Wire: $0 SEPA: $0 SWIFT: $3 |
Bitcoin Scams in Switzerland
In 2019, Swiss blockchain company Envion AG's founders were fined 360,000 Swiss francs for illegal ICO operations that raised over $90 million. In 2020, Swiss authorities arrested the founders of cryptocurrency investment platform Qumas for allegedly defrauding investors of 11 million Swiss francs through a Ponzi scheme.
In 2021, Swiss police arrested Gianluigi Ventre, accused of operating a cryptocurrency investment scam that defrauded investors of 4 million Swiss francs. That same year, FINMA warned about rising crypto fraud cases, revealing Swiss investors lost over 100 million Swiss francs to crypto scams in 2020 alone, with the Wotoken Ponzi scheme being one of the largest cases.
Mobile App Support
Exchange | iOS App | Android App |
---|---|---|
Bitpanda | ||
Coinbase | ||
Kraken |
Earn Interest & Rewards
The following table shows interest rates offered by exchanges.
Exchange | Interest Rate & Details |
---|---|
Bitpanda |
2.65%
EUR 3.95%, USD 3.96%, GBP 3.96%.
|
Coinbase |
4.70%
Earn 4.70% APY rewards by holding USDC on Coinbase. USDC is fully backed 1:1 by US dollars. Minimum $1.
|
Kraken |
0.15% - 6.5%
Available for BTC (0.15% bonded/0.1% flexible), USDT/USD/USDC (6.5% bonded/4.5% flexible), and EUR (4.45% bonded/3.5% flexible).
|
Exchange snapshots
Bitpanda
Bitpanda snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
3.5
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | iDEAL, SEPA, Bank Account, Credit Card, Debit Card, giropay, EPS, SOFORT, Skrill, NETELLER, Google Pay |
Coinbase
Coinbase snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
4.6
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Wire Transfer, Debit Card, Bank Account, PayPal, Apple Pay, iDEAL, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Instant Verification, Google Pay |
Review | Read our review |
Kraken
Kraken snapshot | |
Minimum Deposit | $1 |
iOS app score |
4.7
Official rating from the iOS App Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Android app score |
4.3
Official rating from the Android Play Store as of November 18, 2024.
|
Deposit Methods | ACH, Bank Account, Apple Pay, Google Pay, SEPA, Interac e-Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, Instant Verification |