The future of the Swiss framework

The Swiss framework for crypto-assets and Digital Assets will continue to develop over the coming years. The reform of the Financial Institutions Act is the next major step, to be followed by the implementation of the Basel standard and of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework. The legal treatment of decentralised finance, of tokens that are not securities and of the private law status of payment tokens remains open. The legislator will also have to decide whether to adopt specific rules for the marketing of crypto-assets to retail investors.

The industry in Zug hopes that the reforms will preserve the qualities of the Swiss approach: technology neutrality, proportionality and a regulator willing to engage with new business models. It fears that the reforms will import the complexity of MiCA without its advantage of market access. The outcome will depend on the political process. Parliament has generally been favourable to the crypto industry, but it has also shown concern for the reputation of the financial centre and for the protection of investors.

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

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Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

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