Switzerland to Enforce Automatic Information Exchange on Crypto

Long perceived as the ideal haven for capital seeking anonymity, Switzerland seems to have made a 180-degree turn. Gone are the invisible vaults and untraceable digital wallets. According to the latest news, the Swiss government is preparing for the automatic exchange of crypto-related information with 74 countries. A new standard that could transform the Swiss financial center… but not to everyone’s taste.

Switzerland: Global Crypto Data Sharing

Switzerland vs France: where is it more advantageous to invest ? On June 6, 2025, the Federal Council adopted a draft law allowing the implementation of the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) on crypto-assets. From January 1, 2026, Swiss providers will have to report their clients’ data to Swiss tax authorities. The authorities will share it, starting from 2027, with 74 partner countries, including all European Union members, the United Kingdom, and the majority of G20 countries.

But beware, only states that comply with the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) will receive this data. The United States, China, and Saudi Arabia are excluded from the agreement. Another subtlety: sharing is only possible if the partner country accepts reciprocity and meets transparency criteria.

From a legal point of view, this bill will require adjustments to the federal decree to align control mechanisms with those already applied to bank accounts. This is therefore a complete alignment between traditional finance and the crypto economy.

If the bill makes it through Parliament, Switzerland could indeed become one of the pioneering countries in global crypto tax reporting.

From Tax Haven to Tax Mirror

This Swiss turnabout is no accident. It reflects a profound transformation of Switzerland’s economic role on the world stage. Once accused of fostering tax opacity, it now bets on cooperation and international compliance to restore its credibility. The stated goal is clear: “meet tax transparency commitments” and “create a level playing field for Swiss crypto sector businesses”.

This strategy also aims to contain unfair competition from less transparent jurisdictions. Through AEOI, Switzerland positions itself no longer as a sanctuary of anonymity, but as a regulated hub. Swiss crypto providers must collect names, addresses, tax IDs, and amounts held by clients.

If this process follows a logic of harmonization with the EU via the DAC8 directive, it could scare off some investors attached to confidentiality. Others, however, will welcome this upgrade, which better protects regulated actors.

One detail worth noting:

• 74 partner countries identified for data exchange;
• Planned effective date: January 2026;
• First exchanges of information: during 2027;
• Non-participating states: United States, China, Saudi Arabia;
• Direct reporting obligations in the EU maintained until full harmonization with Switzerland.

While Switzerland adopts transparency, it remains a fertile land for crypto. Lugano, for example, is a showcase for massive cryptocurrency adoption. However, the Swiss National Bank remains cautious. It has excluded bitcoin from its reserves . This contrast clearly illustrates the unstable balance between innovation and orthodoxy that Switzerland is trying to achieve.