Switzerland · 7 min read
The Swiss FinTech Licence Explained
The Art. 1b "banking licence light": deposit limits, capital, and who it suits.
Updated 30/10/2026
Introduced in 2019, the FinTech licence lets firms accept public deposits up to CHF 100 million, provided they are neither invested nor interest-bearing.
Key features
- Capital: 3% of deposits, minimum CHF 300,000.
- Simplified organisation compared to full banks, but FINMA prudential supervision.
- No depositor protection — clients must be informed.
- Crypto-assets held collectively may also fall within this category.
Who it suits
Payment and account providers that need to hold client balances for longer than settlement exceptions allow, without lending.
Who it doesn't suit
Anyone who wants to pay interest or lend customer money — that requires a full banking licence.
Official sources
General information, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the competent authority.