For Switzerland, it is crucial to ensure the integrity of its financial centre. Therefore, Switzerland fully implements the EU sanctions in the financial sector.

Internationally active Swiss banks and insurance companies, the stock exchange and, for example, commodity companies have already been following the international sanction measures very closely and implementing them.

Further information:

Ukraine: Switzerland implements the EU’s 13th package of sanctions (admin.ch)

Switzerland intends to remain a world-leading financial centre and to continue to be attractive as an international business location. The Swiss values of stability, security and trust must be combined with an openness to innovation in sectors such as Fintech and Sustainable Finance. On 4 December 2020, the Swiss Federal Council decided to further develop the financial market strategy around the concepts of innovation, connectivity and sustainability.

Further information:

Leading worldwide, rooted in Switzerland: Policy for a future-proof Swiss financial centre (admin.ch)

The government’s role is simply to provide the optimal framework conditions to allow innovation to take place. Switzerland was one of the first countries to draft legal provisions on the use of Distributed Ledger Technology and, in the Fintech sector, Switzerland has had a simplified approval category geared towards start-ups since 2019. These kinds of measures ensure legal certainty without unnecessary bureaucracy, creating an environment in which innovators are free to explore the potential of new technologies.

Further information:

Digital Finance: Areas of action 2022+ (admin.ch)

Swiss Bankers Association

FINMA

Making Switzerland a leading digital innovation hub | digitalswitzerland

Security and data protection are important values of the Swiss financial centre. As a matter of principle, banks do not disclose their clients' account details to third parties or authorities. There are some exceptions, for example, the exchange of information with judicial authorities in criminal proceedings and, since 2017, the automatic exchange of information on financial accounts with foreign tax authorities in accordance with international standards. Account information of customers with foreign residential addresses are transmitted annually to tax authorities in the country of residence; in the meantime, this exchange takes place with over 100 countries. Swiss tax authorities also receive information on accounts held abroad by Swiss taxpayers. 

Further information:

Automatic exchange of information on financial accounts (admin.ch)

Swiss Bankers Association

Switzerland has a proud tradition in sustainable finance and the Swiss government will continue to champion its financial centre as a global leader in this area. The systemic stability of the financial sector, its integrity, and the effective tackling of financial crime are important factors and, against the background of Agenda 2030, accountability and transparency are also of vital importance.

Further information:

State Secretariat for International Finance

Swiss Bankers Association

FINMA

The Swiss Ministry of Finance (FDF) supports financial service providers and relevant authorities in the prevention and management of incidents, and in improving resilience to cyber risks. The ministry is in the process of creating a dedicated organisation to manage cyber crises in the financial sector, ensuring close cooperation with the National Centre for Cyber Security (NCSC). This will help the industry to develop stable and secure electronic payment and safekeeping systems.

Further information:

National Cyber Security Centre

Swiss Bankers Association

FINMA 

For Switzerland, the integrity of the financial center is crucial. We ensure that the same rules apply to cryptocurrencies as to real monetary assets, e.g. in anti-money laundering. Switzerland is actively working for international standards so that no loopholes and no havens for criminal businesses are created.

Further information: 

Blockchain / DLT (admin.ch)