Crypto platforms compared: Switzerland
With crypto, different things matter than with stocks: who supervises the provider, who custodies your coins, and how high the hidden costs are. Plus what you need for your tax return.
The providers at a glance
Listed alphabetically; the order is not a ranking. Figures based on provider websites and publicly available comparisons, as of September 2026, without guarantee. Verify every figure with the provider again before publishing.
| Provider | Supervision and domicile | Costs | Offering | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitpanda | EU MiCA licence (Austria), not Swiss-regulated | spread, for Bitcoin approx. 0.99%, up to 2.49% depending on coin | large coin selection, savings plan | check transaction history with provider |
| Bitvavo | Netherlands, EU MiCA licence, not Swiss-regulated | approx. 0.15% to 0.25% depending on order type | over 400 coins, staking, trading in EUR or USDC | check transaction history with provider |
| Kraken | EU MiCA licence (Ireland), not Swiss-regulated | instant buy approx. 1% plus spread, Kraken Pro from approx. 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker | very large selection, deposits in Swiss francs possible | check transaction history with provider |
| Relai | Switzerland | approx. 1% service fee, from CHF 50 | Bitcoin only, own wallet | check transaction history with provider |
| Swissquote | Swiss bank, FINMA | approx. 1% at low monthly volume, plus currency conversion of approx. 0.95% | around 50 cryptocurrencies | one tax statement for crypto and stocks |
When comparing costs it's worth looking at the whole picture: with Swissquote, for example, a currency conversion applies alongside the trading fee, because crypto is traded via euros or dollars, and there's a fixed fee for withdrawals. With Bitpanda, the cost sits inside the spread.
Short profiles
These assessments come from public comparisons and describe who a provider is often mentioned for. They are not a recommendation.
Bitpanda
Often mentioned by beginners who want a large selection of cryptocurrencies and a savings plan in one app. The provider custodies the coins for you.
Insert partner linkBitvavo
A Dutch exchange with a large coin selection, staking and low trading fees. It holds an EU MiCA licence but is not regulated in Switzerland. Trading happens in euros or USDC; deposits and withdrawals in francs are often cumbersome. Check in advance how you'd fund it from your Swiss bank.
Insert partner linkKraken
Often mentioned by users who trade more actively and want a larger platform. The provider is regulated in Ireland.
Insert partner linkRelai
Suits anyone who only wants to buy Bitcoin and custody their own coins. A regular savings plan is possible, and the minimum amount is small.
Insert partner linkSwissquote
A Swiss bank offering crypto and stocks under one login with a combined tax statement. Convenient, but not especially cheap for ordinary customers.
Insert partner linkWhat matters with crypto
Supervision and domicile
A provider domiciled in Switzerland is subject to Swiss rules. Different rules apply to providers abroad. For some, it's even unclear who supervises them. This matters more with crypto than with stocks, because your balance sits directly with the provider.
Who custodies the coins
On most exchanges, your coins sit with the provider. A hack or insolvency then affects your balance. Anyone who wants full control transfers the coins to their own wallet, most safely a hardware wallet. Before buying, check whether the provider allows withdrawals to your own wallet and what it costs.
Costs: fee and spread
Some providers charge a visible fee, others earn through the spread, i.e. the difference between buy and sell price. Compare the total price for a purchase, not just the advertised rate. Some offers only apply above very high trading volumes.
Leveraged products and copy trading
Some platforms offer leveraged futures and copy trading. With leverage, losses can grow very large very quickly. When copying other people's trades you also take on their risk. For a long-term purchase of Bitcoin or Ether, you need neither.
What you need for tax purposes
For your tax return you need the holding as of 31 December, the value in francs, and a list of your income, for example from staking. Ask whether the provider delivers a transaction history or an annual report; see Crypto in the tax return.
How to choose
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Clarify what you want
Only Bitcoin or several coins? A one-off purchase or a savings plan? This decides whether a specialist or a large platform suits you better.
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Check supervision and custody
Where is the provider domiciled, who supervises it, and can you transfer coins to your own wallet?
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Compare total costs
Add up fee, spread, currency conversion and withdrawal fee for a typical purchase.
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Check tax documentation
Can the provider export transactions and year-end holdings? That saves you a lot of work in spring.
Frequently asked questions
Are my coins protected at a Swiss bank?
No, not in the sense of deposit insurance. Crypto holdings aren't covered by it at any provider. A Swiss bank offers supervision and clear rules, but doesn't protect against price losses.
What's safer: an exchange or your own wallet?
A hardware wallet is hard to attack if you keep your credentials safe. But then you're responsible: lose them, and the coins are gone. On an exchange, you carry the provider's risk.
Do I have to declare crypto separately for each platform?
Yes. Every holding belongs in your tax return, including across several providers and on your own wallets. How that works is in the guide.
Where do I compare brokers for stocks and ETFs?
On the page Broker comparison.
How this page is funded
The tax explainer pages on this site contain no partner links. Only the homepage and the comparison pages do. If you open an account through a "Go to provider" link, the provider may pay me a commission. The tax information itself is unaffected by this.
Crypto and taxes What's tax-free and what you need to declare.Further reading: Crypto in the tax return and Broker comparison.