Switzerland | FINMA

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is Switzerland’s national regulatory body overseeing financial institutions, markets, and fintech innovation. Known globally for its clarity, stability, and progressive stance, FINMA plays a critical role in shaping the regulatory environment for Security Token Offerings (STOs) and blockchain-based financial instruments.

Unlike many jurisdictions still adapting to digital asset technologies, Switzerland, through FINMA, has established one of the world’s most mature and business-friendly regulatory frameworks for tokenized securities. FINMA classifies tokens into payment, utility, and asset tokens, with asset tokens being legally treated as regulated financial instruments such as shares, bonds, or funds.

In 2021, Switzerland became the first country to legally recognize DLT-based securities and blockchain-native trading platforms through the DLT Act, reinforcing its leadership in compliant digital finance.

For issuers and investors, FINMA’s regulatory clarity provides:

• Legal certainty for structuring and issuing tokenized securities

• Streamlined compliance pathways for public and private offerings

• Investor protection aligned with global financial standards

• A strong foundation for building global, compliant tokenization projects

Switzerland’s combination of legal innovation, robust institutions, and global financial reputation makes FINMA one of the most respected regulators for blockchain-based capital markets.

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