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Business Management
Nexova AG
Zurich, August 14, 2024
Switzerland is known for its stable economy, strong banking system and innovative strength, particularly in the technology sector. This combination makes the country an ideal location for FinTech companies.
FinTech stands for financial technology and describes companies that use modern technologies to offer innovative financial services. Due to special regulations in Switzerland, there are a number of aspects to consider when founding a FinTech company.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the regulations and costs. You will also find out how many FinTech companies there are in Switzerland.
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Switzerland has created a very favorable regulatory environment for FinTech companies. For example, there is a regulatory sandbox that enables FinTech companies to test innovative products and services under simplified conditions.
This allows start-ups to try out their ideas in a controlled environment without having to fulfill all regulatory requirements immediately.
However, once this test phase has been completed, there are a number of regulations that must be observed:
FINMA is the most important regulatory authority for the financial market in Switzerland. It supervises all financial institutions and markets and ensures that they comply with legal requirements. FINMA is strict, but has proven itself to be flexible and innovation-friendly towards up-and-coming FinTech companies in the past.
A FinTech company requires a license from FINMA if it offers certain financial services that are subject to regulation. This applies in particular to
A FinTech company requires a specific license from FINMA if it carries out regulated activities. These are particularly relevant:
Costs for the FinTech license (innovation permit):
FinTech companies that offer services such as payment transactions, loan brokerage or asset management must comply with strict anti-money laundering (AML) laws.
These include the identification and verification of customers (Know Your Customer, KYC) and the reporting of suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
With the introduction of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in the EU and the adaptation of the Swiss Data Protection Act, FinTech companies must ensure that they guarantee the protection of personal data.
This includes data security measures and clear guidelines on data processing and storage. It is particularly important that your customers’ data is stored securely and protected against unauthorized access.
FinTech companies must ensure that their technological systems are robust and secure. FINMA has published guidelines on the use of IT and cyber security to ensure that financial services can be provided continuously and securely. This includes measures to prevent cyberattacks and contingency plans to restore IT systems in the event of security incidents.
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The costs of setting up a FinTech company in Switzerland vary greatly depending on the type of company, the services offered and the technological infrastructure chosen. Here are some of the most important cost points:
The cost of registering a company and applying for licenses can amount to several thousand Swiss francs. The exact amount depends on the type of license required and the specific requirements.
Developing and implementing a robust technological platform can require considerable investment. Basically, there are costs for hardware, software, security solutions and the integration of financial technologies.
Before setting up a FinTech company, legal advice should be sought to ensure that all regulatory requirements are met. In addition, tax advice may also be required to make the most of tax advantages in Switzerland and minimize risks.
You have probably already thought about whether you want to set up a remote company or move into a permanent location. If the latter applies to you, you will need to include the furnishing of your office, ongoing operating costs and the hiring of qualified staff in your financial planning.
You need to invest in marketing and customer acquisition to sell your product. A well thought-out marketing strategy and investments in advertising and public relations are crucial to the success of your company. You should include the corresponding expenses for personnel, campaigns and events in your financial planning.
Switzerland’s economic strength, excellent infrastructure and thriving labor market, particularly in the IT sector, make it an excellent location for founding a FinTech company.
In addition to the regulatory requirements, however, there are important aspects that you should consider before setting up a company:
It is important to thoroughly analyze the market and existing competitors. The Swiss FinTech landscape is diverse and constantly growing. A well-founded market analysis will help you to find your niche and offer your services in a targeted manner. You should precisely understand the needs of your target group and analyze which solutions already exist on the market.
Choosing the right technological infrastructure is crucial. This includes not only the development of a robust and scalable platform, but also the integration of security mechanisms and compliance with data protection standards.
The technological infrastructure includes:
The technological core of your FinTech company must be powerful and flexible enough to keep pace with the company’s growth and adapt to changing market conditions.
Financing is a critical aspect when founding a FinTech company. To convince potential investors, you first need to draw up a sound financial plan. In addition to traditional financing methods such as bank loans and investments from venture capitalists, there are special funding programs and support measures for start-ups in Switzerland:
Crowdfunding, for example via Venture Kick, can also be an interesting option for FinTech companies that offer innovative and customer-oriented services that people are happy to invest in.
Especially when it comes to financial services, you should seek the support of experts to ensure that all legal requirements are met and to minimize risks. There are a number of law firms in Switzerland that specialize in financial and technology law.
According to a study by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the FinTech sector in Switzerland is growing by an average of 11% per year. There are now 483 FinTech companies (as of 2023) that are active in various areas. These include payment transactions, blockchain, crowdfunding, wealthtech and insurtech.
Compared to 2015, the sector has tripled in size, which speaks for the opportunities in this industry. Technologies in the areas of analytics, artificial intelligence, big data and distributed ledger technology have seen the strongest growth.
To identify trends and opportunities in the FinTech sector, it helps to take a look at the most successful companies. In Switzerland, the “Swiss FinTech Award” is presented every year. This is aimed at various types of companies within the FinTech sector, in particular
“Early Stage Start-ups” that are still in the early stages of development and show great potential. The 2024 winner was Neur.on AI.
“Growth Stage Start-ups”, this category is aimed at companies that have already reached a certain level of market maturity and have already achieved initial success. GenTwo was able to take home the prize.
There is also an award for influential personalities and organizations that have a significant impact on the FinTech sector in Switzerland and have had a lasting influence on the sector through their work. This year, the award went to FinTech influencer Johannes “Johs” Höhener.
Switzerland offers an excellent environment for founding a FinTech company. The combination of a strong financial sector, innovative technology and a favorable regulatory framework makes this beautiful country in the Alps an ideal location. The annual growth of the FinTech sector shows that the market offers great potential and that innovative ideas and solutions are in demand.
To set up a successful FinTech company in Switzerland, you need to plan carefully, set up the right technological infrastructure and have the necessary financial background. You must also comply with FINMA regulations.
Once you have overcome these hurdles, nothing stands in your way of running a successful FinTech company.
Do you need advice on setting up a company in Switzerland? Or do you already run a company and want to take advantage of the benefits of having your registered office in Switzerland? As experts in fiduciary services, we can advise you free of charge.