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Knowledgebase
Open a Crowdfunding Company in Switzerland
Alex Buri, Off-Counsel
12 April, 2025
Table of Contents
1. Overview of Crowdfunding in Switzerland
2. How to Register a Crowdfunding Company in Switzerland
3. Quick Facts – Swiss Crowdfunding Platforms
4. Are There Any Licenses Such Platforms Can Obtain?
5. Specific Documents Required by Crowdfunding Companies in Switzerland
6. Regulations for Crowdfunding in Switzerland
7. Crowdfunding Sector in Switzerland
8. FAQ - Frequiently Asked Questions about Crowdfunding Company in Switzerland
2. How to Register a Crowdfunding Company in Switzerland
3. Quick Facts – Swiss Crowdfunding Platforms
4. Are There Any Licenses Such Platforms Can Obtain?
5. Specific Documents Required by Crowdfunding Companies in Switzerland
6. Regulations for Crowdfunding in Switzerland
7. Crowdfunding Sector in Switzerland
8. FAQ - Frequiently Asked Questions about Crowdfunding Company in Switzerland
In Switzerland, crowdfunding has become an increasingly popular method for raising capital, especially among entrepreneurs and investors looking to launch new ventures. The system is based on collecting small contributions from a large number of individuals and legal entities that wish to support a specific project or business.
The crowdfunding sector in Switzerland operates under a combination of general financial rules and fintech-specific practices. While not all platforms are subject to direct licensing from FINMA, regulatory frameworks still apply, depending on the platform’s model.
Our team of experts in Swiss company formation offers end-to-end assistance for those who wish to establish a crowdfunding platform, including registration, licensing evaluations, and compliance implementation.
The crowdfunding sector in Switzerland operates under a combination of general financial rules and fintech-specific practices. While not all platforms are subject to direct licensing from FINMA, regulatory frameworks still apply, depending on the platform’s model.
Our team of experts in Swiss company formation offers end-to-end assistance for those who wish to establish a crowdfunding platform, including registration, licensing evaluations, and compliance implementation.
How to register a crowdfunding company in Switzerland
To open a crowdfunding company in Switzerland, investors typically choose between the private limited liability company (GmbH) and the joint stock company (AG) structures. Both are well-suited to operate crowdlending platforms.
A key advantage is that no specific share capital requirement is imposed for crowdfunding platforms by FINMA, provided the business does not fall under a licensing obligation.
Once the legal structure is selected, the business must be incorporated with the Swiss Commercial Register, after which the platform can begin its operations. Our team provides full support for the registration of a company in Switzerland, including name validation, preparation of articles of association, and liaison with the Commercial Register to ensure fast and compliant incorporation.
Our consultants provide full support with company registration, document drafting, and post-incorporation filings. We also assist with accounting and tax planning services tailored for crowdfunding businesses.
A key advantage is that no specific share capital requirement is imposed for crowdfunding platforms by FINMA, provided the business does not fall under a licensing obligation.
Once the legal structure is selected, the business must be incorporated with the Swiss Commercial Register, after which the platform can begin its operations. Our team provides full support for the registration of a company in Switzerland, including name validation, preparation of articles of association, and liaison with the Commercial Register to ensure fast and compliant incorporation.
Our consultants provide full support with company registration, document drafting, and post-incorporation filings. We also assist with accounting and tax planning services tailored for crowdfunding businesses.
Quick Facts – Swiss Crowdfunding Platforms
The table below outlines the core features, licensing requirements, and compliance considerations for launching a crowdfunding company in Switzerland. It reflects the current state of regulation and the operational framework applied to such platforms.
This summary helps investors understand whether their planned crowdfunding model will trigger licensing obligations and what compliance measures must be implemented. Our legal experts help tailor this checklist to each client’s business goals and legal status.
Aspect | Details |
Special legislation available | No, but the Banking Act may apply depending on activity |
Requirement to register a company | Yes, incorporation is mandatory before launch |
License requirements | Only in cases where funds are held or lending occurs on a commercial basis |
Special management requirements | Not specified; general commercial law applies |
Platforms requiring special licenses | Platforms conducting advertising or accepting third-party funds |
Licensing authority | FINMA (if required) |
SRO registration requirement | Yes, for AML compliance via recognized organizations |
Types of operations permitted | Crowdlending, crowdinvesting, donation-based, rewards, ICOs |
Typical activities | Collecting and transferring funds to project owners |
Specific documentation required | AML/KYC procedures, internal controls, security policies |
Foreign ownership permitted | Yes, foreign founders can establish platforms |
Special organization | Swiss Crowdfunding Association available for guidance |
Crypto involvement permitted | Yes, especially for platforms supporting ICOs or tokenized assets |
Main advantages | Lower market entry barriers, flexible models, access to diverse investors |
Support available | Yes, full company formation and licensing assistance provided |
This summary helps investors understand whether their planned crowdfunding model will trigger licensing obligations and what compliance measures must be implemented. Our legal experts help tailor this checklist to each client’s business goals and legal status.
Are there any licenses such platforms can obtain?
In Switzerland, crowdfunding companies are not automatically subject to a licensing requirement. However, whether or not a license is needed depends on how the platform operates — particularly in relation to funds handling, advertising, and the duration for which third-party money is held.
Under the Swiss Banking Act, platforms that hold or accept funds from contributors for more than 60 days or use them commercially may fall under the definition of a financial intermediary. In such cases, authorization from FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) is mandatory.
Under the Swiss Banking Act, platforms that hold or accept funds from contributors for more than 60 days or use them commercially may fall under the definition of a financial intermediary. In such cases, authorization from FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) is mandatory.
When is a license required?
- When the crowdfunding company holds funds on its own accounts on a professional basis;
- When it conducts peer-to-peer lending with active fund management;
- When it advertises publicly while managing contributions;
- If the volume of collected funds exceeds CHF 1 million and the business is not structured to avoid regulatory thresholds.
If the platform only serves as a technological intermediary, forwarding payments directly to project owners within 60 days, then licensing is usually not required. However, in all cases, the business must comply with anti-money laundering rules and register with a recognized Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO).
Our team conducts full licensing assessments, prepares filings, and handles all correspondence with FINMA and SROs to ensure the lawful operation of your Swiss crowdfunding company.
Our team conducts full licensing assessments, prepares filings, and handles all correspondence with FINMA and SROs to ensure the lawful operation of your Swiss crowdfunding company.
Specific documents that need to be prepared by crowdfunding companies in Switzerland
Regardless of whether a license is formally required, crowdfunding companies in Switzerland must comply with various documentation standards and maintain internal control systems to satisfy regulatory expectations and ensure operational transparency.
Key documents and compliance protocols:
- AML Policy (Anti-Money Laundering) – This must include internal guidelines for monitoring, reporting, and detecting suspicious transactions, including cooperation with Swiss authorities.
- KYC Procedures (Know Your Customer) – A full identification protocol for all platform users, contributors, and project owners, often involving risk-based scoring and document verification.
- Data Protection & Privacy Policy – Must meet Swiss Federal Data Protection Act (FADP) and GDPR standards, especially for platforms dealing with cross-border contributors.
- IT & Platform Security Documentation – Platforms must outline how they secure payment systems, user logins, encrypted communications, and data storage.
- Internal Control Handbook – A structured manual detailing compliance workflows, roles, segregation of duties, and escalation procedures in case of risk events.
- Operational Manual – Explains onboarding processes, fund transfer mechanics, settlement cycles, and dispute resolution measures.
- Service Contracts – Legal templates for relationships between the platform, users, and project owners, including disclaimers and liability clauses
In addition, platforms must be aware of how bank secrecy in Switzerland intersects with data privacy obligations, particularly when managing confidential financial data from both contributors and project owners.
Platforms registered with a Swiss SRO must be ready to present these documents during periodic audits. Some SROs offer templates, but many companies rely on compliance advisors to tailor documentation to their platform’s unique structure.
Our legal team works closely with crowdfunding startups to create and implement all the required documentation, ensuring seamless audits and full regulatory alignment.
Platforms registered with a Swiss SRO must be ready to present these documents during periodic audits. Some SROs offer templates, but many companies rely on compliance advisors to tailor documentation to their platform’s unique structure.
Our legal team works closely with crowdfunding startups to create and implement all the required documentation, ensuring seamless audits and full regulatory alignment.
Get in touch
Please contact us directly or via email if you require assistance. We are here to help you move forward.
Regulations for crowdfunding in Switzerland
Crowdfunding in Switzerland operates within a regulatory landscape that, while not governed by a dedicated law, is shaped by several key legislative acts and financial compliance standards. These regulations are designed to promote market transparency, investor protection, and financial sector integrity.
Primary regulatory frameworks:
- Swiss Banking Act (BA) – Applicable when platforms hold third-party funds or issue loans commercially.
- Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) – Applies to all crowdfunding platforms, requiring compliance with AML rules and SRO registration.
- Financial Services Act (FinSA) and Financial Institutions Act (FinIA) – Relevant for platforms offering financial advisory services or professional asset management.
The Financial Institutions Act plays a critical role in regulating crowdfunding platforms that engage in professional financial intermediation, requiring stricter authorization and operational standards for those managing assets or providing advisory functions.
Key regulatory considerations:
- Platforms that act purely as intermediaries and transfer funds within 60 days usually remain outside full banking license obligations.
- If funds are retained beyond this timeframe or managed commercially, FINMA licensing becomes mandatory.
- All platforms are required to register with an SRO, even if they do not need a FINMA license.
- For platforms supporting tokenized fundraising models (e.g. ICOs), FINMA’s ICO guidelines apply.
Recent reforms:
- Permits acceptance of deposits from over 20 clients under certain conditions;
- Reduces the licensing burden for platforms not holding funds beyond 60 days;
- Encourages innovation while maintaining regulatory safeguards.
Switzerland’s regulator, FINMA, maintains a flexible but strict interpretation of financial intermediation, requiring careful assessment of business models. Given the close ties between crowdfunding operations and the Swiss banking system, platforms must ensure compatibility with local financial procedures, especially when collaborating with licensed financial institutions for payment processing or fund custody.
Our regulatory team evaluates your platform’s setup and guides you through SRO registration, FINMA communications, and compliance implementation.
Our regulatory team evaluates your platform’s setup and guides you through SRO registration, FINMA communications, and compliance implementation.
Crowdfunding sector in Switzerland
Switzerland’s crowdfunding market has seen strong and sustained growth in recent years, positioning the country as a regional hub for alternative finance. From startups and small businesses to real estate developers and social enterprises, a growing number of actors are turning to crowdfunding as a flexible fundraising tool.
Market statistics:
The slight decline in 2022 is considered a short-term market correction after years of rapid expansion. Crowdlending remains the dominant model, representing over two-thirds of the total market.
Other active segments include crowdinvesting, especially for early-stage startups, and donation-based campaigns, primarily driven by social and cultural causes.
Market statistics:
Year | Total Crowdfunding Volume (CHF) | Segment Leader |
2021 | CHF 791.8 million | Crowdlending |
2022 | CHF 662.2 million | Crowdlending (continued) |
The slight decline in 2022 is considered a short-term market correction after years of rapid expansion. Crowdlending remains the dominant model, representing over two-thirds of the total market.
Other active segments include crowdinvesting, especially for early-stage startups, and donation-based campaigns, primarily driven by social and cultural causes.
Growth drivers:
- Supportive regulatory environment with clarity from FINMA;
- Swiss neutrality and stable financial system appeal to foreign investors;
- Expansion of crypto-linked crowdfunding and tokenized assets;
- Rising public interest in sustainable finance and impact investing.
The sector is supported by institutions like the Swiss Crowdfunding Association, which advocates for best practices and serves as a bridge between platforms and regulators.
Foreign entrepreneurs and investors can operate crowdfunding companies in Switzerland without local citizenship, provided all compliance and registration requirements are met. This flexibility contributes to the diversity of companies in Switzerland, where crowdfunding platforms now represent a dynamic and growing segment within the national startup ecosystem.
Our advisors assist local and foreign founders in accessing this growing market, offering a full suite of incorporation, licensing, and operational setup services tailored to your goals.
Foreign entrepreneurs and investors can operate crowdfunding companies in Switzerland without local citizenship, provided all compliance and registration requirements are met. This flexibility contributes to the diversity of companies in Switzerland, where crowdfunding platforms now represent a dynamic and growing segment within the national startup ecosystem.
Our advisors assist local and foreign founders in accessing this growing market, offering a full suite of incorporation, licensing, and operational setup services tailored to your goals.
FAQ - Frequiently Asked Questions about Crowdfunding Company in Switzerland
Not all crowdfunding platforms require a FINMA license. A license is generally required if the platform holds third-party funds for over 60 days or manages peer-to-peer lending on a commercial basis.
The most common legal forms are GmbH (limited liability company) and AG (stock corporation), both of which support crowdlending and crowdinvesting activities.
Yes, foreign nationals can fully own and operate crowdfunding platforms in Switzerland, provided all legal and compliance obligations are met.
Essential documents include AML and KYC policies, internal control handbooks, data protection policies, platform security documentation, and legal service agreements.
Yes. All crowdfunding businesses must register with a Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) for AML compliance, even if they don’t require a FINMA license.
The primary models are crowdlending, crowdinvesting, donation-based crowdfunding, rewards-based platforms, and crypto/ICO-based models.
Platforms must transfer collected funds to project owners within 60 days to remain exempt from banking license requirements under the Swiss Banking Act.
Yes, Switzerland permits ICOs and tokenized fundraising through crowdfunding platforms. Such operations must follow FINMA’s ICO and AML guidelines.
FINMA oversees financial licensing, while SROs monitor anti-money laundering compliance for non-licensed platforms.
Yes. Despite a temporary drop in 2022, Switzerland remains a leading jurisdiction for crowdfunding in Europe, with strong growth in crowdlending and crypto-based funding.