FINMA Securities Dealer / Asset Manager
Cost
Substantial, application and ongoing supervision fees, plus FINSA/FINIA capital.
Timeline
9-15 months
Capital
CHF 100,000+ minimum (asset manager), CHF 1.5M+ for full bank-equivalent licence
Securities & investment regulated by Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority.
Who it suits
Brokers and asset managers serving Swiss and global high-net-worth clients. Switzerland is non-EU but high-credibility.
Compliance load
FINSA (financial services act) + FINIA (financial institutions act), strict AML, robust client-suitability rules.
The acquiring angle
FINMA brand opens doors with high-end acquirers, particularly for high-net-worth client-facing operators. Swiss banking secrecy lifted post-FATF; AML expectations equivalent to EU.
Notes and pitfalls
Swiss licensing is for established players, not lean retail forex shops. Cost-benefit rarely works for pure retail.
Reference information, not legal advice. Figures are typical ranges as of 2026.
FINMA questions.
How do acquirers view the FINMA licence?
Acquirer acceptance is Moderate. FINMA brand opens doors with high-end acquirers, particularly for high-net-worth client-facing operators. Swiss banking secrecy lifted post-FATF; AML expectations equivalent to EU.
What does the FINMA cost and how long does it take?
Cost: Substantial, application and ongoing supervision fees, plus FINSA/FINIA capital.. Timeline: 9-15 months. Capital: CHF 100,000+ minimum (asset manager), CHF 1.5M+ for full bank-equivalent licence. These are typical ranges as of 2026; verify with the regulator before budgeting.
Does BZNpay help with FINMA applications?
No. We are an introducer to acquirers, not a licensing agent. We can tell you how this licence plays with the acquirer pool and introduce you to the partners whose appetite covers it.