Switzerland remains one of the most crypto-friendly countries in the world, offering favorable tax conditions for private investors. While capital gains from crypto trading are tax-free for individuals, other activities like staking, mining, and professional trading may be subject to taxation. Whether you’re an investor, trader, or crypto earner through DeFi, it’s essential to understand Swiss tax regulations to stay compliant and optimize your tax liability.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about crypto taxes in Switzerland for 2025—including tax-free transactions, taxable income, reporting requirements, and expert tips to simplify your tax filing process.
Do Crypto Traders Pay Tax in Switzerland?
Yes, but it depends on your trading status. You don’t pay capital gains tax on crypto trades if you’re a private investor. However, if you’re classified as a self-employed trader or running a crypto business, your profits are subject to income tax. The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) assesses traders based on trading frequency, leverage use, and dependence on trading as a primary income source. If deemed professional, you must declare your gains and pay taxes accordingly.
How is crypto taxed in Switzerland?
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA) treats cryptocurrencies as assets, not legal tender. This means that the primary tax implications for individuals holding crypto in Switzerland are related to wealth tax and, in some cases, income tax.
Wealth Tax
- What it is: Switzerland levies an annual wealth tax on the total value of an individual’s assets, including cryptocurrencies. This tax is applied at the cantonal level, meaning the rates and specific regulations can vary between cantons.
- How it works: The value of your cryptocurrencies is assessed on December 31st each year. The FTA publishes a list of exchange rates for common cryptocurrencies, which are used to determine their value in Swiss Francs (CHF). If your cryptocurrency is not listed, the tax authorities may use the purchase price or year-end rate.
- Tax rates: Wealth tax rates vary by canton but typically range from 0.3% to 1%. The rates are progressive, meaning individuals with higher total assets pay a higher percentage.
- Exemptions and allowances: Each taxpayer has a personal wealth tax allowance, which is a certain amount of assets that are exempt from wealth tax. This allowance varies by canton and may increase if you have dependents.
Income Tax
- General principle: In most cases, simply buying, holding, and selling cryptocurrencies as a private investor does not trigger income tax in Switzerland. This is because capital gains from personal investments are generally tax-free.
- Exceptions:
- Professional traders: If you are considered a professional trader, meaning you engage in frequent and substantial crypto trading activities, your profits may be considered income and subject to income tax.
- Other income from crypto: Income generated from crypto activities like staking rewards, mining, or providing liquidity in DeFi protocols is generally considered taxable income.
- Tax rates: Income tax rates in Switzerland are progressive and vary by canton and municipality.
Tax Rates on Cryptocurrencies
Switzerland’s tax system is decentralized, with each canton setting its own tax rates.
| Category | Tax Treatment | Tax Rate |
| Capital Gains (Private Investors) | Exempt from tax | 0% |
| Capital Gains (Professional Traders) | Taxable as business income | Up to 40% (varies by canton) |
| Income from Staking/Lending/Yield Farming | Taxable as income | 0% – 40% (depends on canton & income bracket) |
| Mining Rewards | Taxable as self-employment income | 0% – 40% (progressive, varies by canton) |
| Wealth Tax on Crypto Holdings | Taxable as part of net wealth | 0.1% – 1% (based on market value as of Dec 31st) |
| VAT on Crypto Transactions | Crypto treated as a means of payment (VAT exempt) | 0% |
| Gift and Inheritance Tax | Crypto transfers may be taxed | 2% – 36% (varies by canton, exemptions for close family) |
| Corporate Tax on Crypto Businesses | Companies taxed on net earnings | 11.9% – 21.6% (combined federal, cantonal, and municipal rates) |
Wealth Tax Rates
All residents are subject to a wealth tax on their total net assets, including cryptocurrencies. The rates vary by canton but typically range from 0.1% to 1% of the total asset value. The valuation is based on the market value of your crypto assets as of December 31st each year. For instance, if you reside in Zurich and hold crypto assets worth CHF 100,000, and the cantonal wealth tax rate is 0.5%, you’d owe CHF 500 as a wealth tax.
Income Tax Rates
Income generated from certain crypto activities is subject to income tax. The rates depend on your canton and overall income but generally range from 0% to 40%. For example, in some cantons, the combined federal, cantonal, and municipal income tax rates can reach up to 40% for high-income individuals. Therefore, if you earned CHF 10,000 from crypto staking in such a canton, you could owe up to CHF 4,000 in income tax.
Gift and Inheritance Tax Rates
Transferring crypto assets as gifts or through inheritance can incur taxes, with rates varying significantly across cantons. Some cantons impose rates ranging from 2% to 36%, while others may offer exemptions, especially for transfers between close family members.
Corporate Tax Rates
Businesses dealing with cryptocurrencies are subject to corporate income tax on their net taxable earnings. The combined federal, cantonal, and municipal corporate tax rates typically range from 11.9% to 21.6%, depending on the company’s location within Switzerland.
Switzerland Crypto Tax Overview
In Switzerland, crypto is classified as an asset, with tax implications varying based on your activity.
Private Investors enjoy tax-free capital gains, provided they don’t engage in business-like trading. Moving crypto between personal wallets or exchanges is also tax-free.
Self-employed traders & Businesses are subject to income tax on crypto profits if their activities resemble a business.
Understanding these distinctions helps you stay compliant while maximizing tax benefits.
How To Know if my Trading is Considered a Professional Activity?
In Switzerland, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) determines whether your crypto trading is a private investment (tax-free capital gains) or a professional activity (subject to income tax). The classification depends on several factors:
You are a private investor if:
- You trade occasionally and primarily hold crypto for investment.
- Your annual trading volume is low compared to your total assets.
- You don’t use leverage or derivatives frequently.
You are considered a professional trader if:
- You trade frequently with a high transaction volume.
- Your primary income comes from crypto trading.
- You use borrowed funds (margin trading) to increase profits.
- You rarely hold assets long-term and focus on short-term gains.
Crypto Earning Tax in Switzerland
When it comes to earning crypto, Switzerland treats this as a form of income. So, if you are earning cryptocurrencies through activities such as staking, yield farming, or DeFi protocols, it’s essential to understand the tax implications.
Income Tax on Crypto Earnings
According to recent guidance from the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (FTA), if you are earning crypto, such as receiving interest or rewards from decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols or staking, you will likely need to pay income tax on those earnings. This applies to both DeFi earnings and staking rewards.
For example, if you receive tokens from a staking platform, the value of those tokens at the time they are received is treated as income, and you will need to report this amount in your annual tax return.
Airdrops and Forks
Similarly, if you receive airdrops (free tokens distributed by a project) or forked coins (new coins that are created from a blockchain split), you must include the market value of those assets as income in your tax filings.
Airdrops are generally subject to income tax in Switzerland, and any new coins you receive due to a fork are also likely to be taxed similarly. This means the tax authorities will assess the market value of the crypto at the time you receive it and apply income tax based on that value.
How to Report Crypto Gains on Taxes in Switzerland
Swiss residents must report their crypto holdings and income in their annual tax return (due by March 31st). Since capital gains are tax-free for private investors, only taxable crypto activities like staking rewards, mining, or professional trading need to be declared.
Steps to Report Crypto Taxes:
1️. Calculate Crypto Holdings – List the market value in CHF of your crypto assets as of December 31st.
2️. Report Taxable Crypto Income – Declare any earnings from staking, mining, yield farming, or professional trading as income.
3️. Submit Required Documents – Include bank statements, exchange reports, and transaction records.
4️. Use Crypto Tax Software – Tools like ZenLedger can help simplify calculations.
How to Reduce Crypto Tax Liabilities in Switzerland
Though the Swiss tax system for crypto is generally favorable, there are still some ways you can strategically minimize your crypto tax liabilities:
1. Ensure You Are Considered a Private Investor
The best way to avoid taxes on capital gains is to ensure that you are classified as a private investor and not a self-employed trader.
If you engage in occasional trading or hold crypto as part of a long-term investment strategy, then you are likely to qualify as a private investor, and your profits will be exempt from capital gains tax.
2. Offset Losses as a Self-Employed Trader
If you are a self-employed trader, you can balance your crypto capital losses against the profits you make. This can help reduce your overall taxable income and lower your tax liability. Be sure to track and report all of your losses and gains throughout the year to make this process easier.
3. Make Charitable Donations
Swiss tax laws allow for tax deductions on donations made to registered charities. If you sell your crypto for a profit and decide to donate a portion of the proceeds to charity, you may be able to offset the donation amount against your taxable income, potentially lowering your overall tax bill.
4. Consider the Timing of Your Transactions
Timing can also play a significant role in reducing your tax liability. For example, if you plan to sell your crypto, you might want to consider doing so at a time when the market value is lower to reduce your taxable capital gains.
What is the Deadline to File my Crypto Taxes?
In Switzerland, crypto taxes must be reported in your annual tax return, which is due by March 31st of the following year. This means for the 2024 tax year, you must file your return by March 31, 2025.
Since each canton administers its own tax system, extensions may be available, but you must request them in advance from your local tax office. Failing to meet the deadline could result in penalties or interest on unpaid taxes, so it’s best to prepare early.
Conclusion
Switzerland’s crypto tax system offers many advantages for private investors, allowing them to trade and invest in cryptocurrencies without having to worry about capital gains tax. However, if you’re engaging in professional crypto trading or running a crypto-related business, the rules are more complex, and income tax will apply to your profits.
Whether you are earning crypto through staking, trading, yield farming, or DeFi activities, it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest regulations and ensure you’re accurately reporting your crypto activities to the Swiss tax authorities. With the right preparation, you can manage your tax obligations efficiently and make the most of Switzerland’s crypto-friendly tax environment.
By keeping detailed records, consulting tax professionals, and ensuring compliance, you can navigate the world of crypto taxes in Switzerland with confidence. And if you want to simplify the process, ZenLedger—a cryptocurrency tax software—can help. From tracking transactions to generating tax reports, ZenLedger makes crypto tax filing effortless!
ZenLedger can help you easily calculate your crypto taxes, and also find opportunities for you to save money and trade smarter. Get started for free now or learn more about our tax professional-prepared plans!
Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide tax, legal, or financial advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.