🇨🇭 Broker coverage in Switzerland

Regulatory overview

Switzerland financial regulator is FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority). Retail forex/CFD provision is legal but behind a high authorisation barrier: a firm that takes client money and is itself counterparty to FX transactions with clients generally requires a Swiss banking licence under the Federal Act on Banks and Savings Banks; offering CFDs and other securities additionally requires a securities-firm licence. [S1] Switzerland is outside the EU/ESMA regime, so EU passporting does not apply. Per-broker FINMA authorisation must be confirmed individually. [S2]

Considerations

A genuine Swiss retail FX provider is typically a FINMA-licensed bank or securities firm - not an offshore brand targeting Switzerland. [S1][S2] Switzerland is not in EU/ESMA scope; EU retail leverage caps and EU compensation schemes do not automatically apply. [S1]

Frequently asked questions

How is retail forex regulated in Switzerland?

FINMA requires firms taking client money as FX counterparty to hold a Swiss banking licence (plus a securities-firm licence for CFDs). [S1]

Sources

1. [S1] FINMA - authorisation requirements (banks and securities firms) — https://www.finma.ch/en/authorisation/banks-and-securities-firms/getting-licensed/securities-firms/
2. [S2] FINMA - authorised institutions, individuals and products (per-broker check) — https://www.finma.ch/en/finma-public/authorised-institutions-individuals-and-products/