By the middle of 2026, it’s anticipated that almost half of Switzerland’s population, exceeding 4 million individuals, will be engaging with cryptocurrencies actively, according to projections from Statista for 2025. This surge in adoption is not coincidental; it stems from a governmental approach that views cryptocurrency not as a potential threat, but rather as a significant opportunity for development. The Swiss model illustrates that regulatory frameworks and innovation can coexist harmoniously, each reinforcing the other. Clear regulations encourage business growth, while robust consumer protections foster wider acceptance of digital currencies.
Two Distinct Paths: Established Institutions vs. Innovative Startups
Switzerland’s digital banking sector is characterized by two contrasting models. On one hand, there are licensed banks such as Sygnum and AMINA, which are fully regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and provide various crypto-related services, including custody, staking, and tokenization, all within traditional financial systems. Sygnum, managing billions in assets, has even introduced its own stablecoin, the Digital Swiss Franc (DCHF), facilitating real-time settlements. AMINA similarly offers robust infrastructure for institutional clients, demonstrating how traditional systems can integrate innovative solutions. Conversely, a new breed of challenger banks is emerging, built on blockchain technology from the ground up, focusing on smart contracts and compliance by design.
However, not all players are merely enhancing existing frameworks. Monerys AG, a Swiss firm established in 2018, is taking a more foundational approach. Instead of modifying an existing banking structure, it aims to create a new institution from the ground up. Planning to evolve from a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to a fully licensed bank named Artus Bank (NewCo), Monerys is establishing a financial entity rooted in blockchain principles, emphasizing asset tokenization, programmability, and comprehensive digital infrastructure.
Redefining the Financial Framework for a Tokenized Future
While Sygnum and AMINA incorporate digital assets into established practices, Monerys aspires to revolutionize those practices entirely. The founders believe that the market and regulatory landscapes have finally aligned with the innovative vision of banking. CEO Gavin Nathan notes, “We’re not just making adjustments to banking; we’re envisioning it for the next century.” His perspective is informed by years of observing the industry lag behind technological advancement, waiting for regulatory frameworks to catch up. With Switzerland’s regulatory environment now evolved and real-world applications of tokenization on the rise, Monerys believes it is the opportune moment to establish the kind of institution needed for future financial systems.
This forward-thinking philosophy is reflected in the bank’s design. Rather than adding blockchain technology to outdated systems, Monerys is embedding tokenization and programmable finance from the outset. The goal is to provide services that not only manage cryptocurrencies but also enable clients—both individuals and businesses—to engage with money in innovative ways. Their plans encompass digital accounts, tokenization of real-world assets, and regulatory compliance integrated directly into the technology, rather than applied as an afterthought.
The Visionary Approach of Monerys AG’s CEO
Where Monerys sets itself apart is through its belief that finance must be fundamentally reconstructed, not merely rebranded. The founders openly acknowledge the significant challenge of establishing a bank from scratch in one of the world’s most stringent regulatory environments. Yet, the company’s culture is intentionally designed to meet this challenge head-on. As with any transformative project, there is an element of trust involved—the belief that the systems being created today will endure into the future. Nathan remarks, “Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and trust the process; even if things don’t work out immediately, it doesn’t mean they won’t succeed eventually.” He likens his role to that of a puzzle master, tasked with assembling the necessary people and systems to complete a comprehensive vision of the future of finance.
However, establishing a bank from the ground up necessitates a solid foundation. Switzerland’s legal and institutional framework is what enables such ambitious experimentation to flourish.
How Switzerland Transformed Regulation into a Catalyst for Financial Innovation
Since the inception of the 2019 Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) draft law to the recent granting of a landmark DLT trading license to BX Digital, Switzerland has been methodically building one of the most sophisticated crypto ecosystems globally. The regulatory framework is systemic, integrated into the operational architecture of financial services. At the heart of this framework is FINMA, which has developed a comprehensive oversight mechanism for cryptocurrencies within the broader financial system. This means that exchanges, wallet providers, and DLT platforms are subject to full anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) regulations. All crypto intermediaries are required to join a Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO), undergo annual audits, and comply with mandatory reporting protocols for any suspicious activities.
A significant regulatory milestone was Switzerland’s approval of the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) for crypto assets. Starting in 2026, the country will begin sharing crypto-related financial data with 74 partner jurisdictions, a move aimed at enhancing tax transparency and closing cross-border loopholes. The first data transfers are anticipated in 2027, marking a key point in the integration of cryptocurrencies into global financial cooperation.
Swiss banks are already testing blockchain innovations to improve cross-border transactions. UBS’s Digital Cash initiative aims to enhance liquidity and efficiency in settlements. “UBS Digital Cash seeks to enable our clients to conduct cross-border payments in a significantly more efficient and transparent manner,” noted Andy Kollegger of UBS. This vision is already being realized; UBS, Sygnum, and PostFinance recently completed the first binding interbank payment using a public blockchain, marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption.
This momentum is no mere coincidence; it is supported by coordinated efforts across various sectors. The Swiss Blockchain Federation, in collaboration with the Crypto Valley Association and Bitcoin Association Switzerland, has published a 12-point manifesto aimed at keeping the country at the forefront of blockchain innovation. The primary objectives are to promote smarter regulatory practices, bolster support for stablecoins, and ensure a consistent policy framework conducive to growth.
This regulatory sophistication has paved the way for a more profound transformation, one that replaces outdated limitations with entirely new systems designed for future needs.
The Future of Finance Will Be Rebuilt, Not Just Updated
Currently, the financial system is fraught with inefficiencies: outdated infrastructure hampers innovation, compliance is burdensome and reactive, and trust in institutions has diminished as they struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Monerys views these challenges not as isolated issues but as indicators of a deeper disconnect between antiquated models and emerging capabilities. The proposed solution is a clean-slate bank, constructed from the ground up, incorporating tokenization, programmable assets, and regulatory compliance directly in its foundational code.
Monerys presents an audacious proposition: trust can be restored not by replicating traditional banking practices, but by fundamentally rethinking their underlying principles. “This is our David versus Goliath moment,” Nathan asserts. “We’re facing giants, but we’re not trying to outplay them in their own arena. Instead, we’re creating an entirely new game.” In the coming years, institutions like Monerys AG have the potential to redefine what banking can be: not merely a place to safeguard value, but a comprehensive operating system for programmable capital, accessible to all.
