Insights

Even without specific AI legislation, Swiss financial institutions are now responsible for managing their use of AI appropriately.

On 25 February 2026, the Federal Council decided to adopt the additional measures of the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia. With its entry into force on 26 February 2026, Switzerland has, for the first time, introduced a fully developed sanctions framework specifically covering the crypto sector. The new rules apply to all financial intermediaries and are particularly relevant for institutions with crypto exposure.

On 22 October 2025, the Federal Council opened the consultation procedure on an amendment to the Financial Institutions Act (FinIA). The plan is to introduce two new licence categories – payment institutions and crypto institutions – with the objective of enhancing the attractiveness of Switzerland as an economic and financial centre and improving the integration of innovative financial technologies into the existing financial system. In the context of the proposed FinIA amendments, other financial market laws (FinSA, AMLA, FINMASA, FinMIA) are also to be amended.

GTRegs is a regulatory monitoring tool for the Swiss financial market. It supports board members, executives, risk and compliance officers at regulated financial institutions in systematically classifying regulatory developments.

In March 2024, we launched our matchmaking platform for asset managers. It was developed with the aim of giving asset managers free access to Grant Thornton's extensive network and thus providing them with targeted support in their search for suitable partnerships. Almost two years have passed since then, making this an ideal time to give you an insight into the status and the latest developments.

On December 16, 2025, FINMA opened the consultation on an amendment to FINMA Circular 2016/7 "Video and online identification." The aim is to adapt the existing regulations to technological developments and new legal requirements. In particular, the Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services ("e-ID Act"), which is expected to come into force in mid-2026, will be taken into account. The changes are relevant for all financial service providers who identify new customers electronically.

A little over two years after the revised data protection legislation came into force, and with a wealth of implementation experience under our belts, most people are now much more aware of the complexity of the subject matter. This article highlights areas where the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) has identified a need for action in the course of its supervisory activities, the data protection risks that can be gleaned from the recently published FINMA Risk Monitor 2025, and the challenges this poses for financial institutions. It then briefly discusses data protection aspects of the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

In May 2024, we reported on the planned EU anti-money laundering package, consisting of a directive and three regulations. The aim is to harmonise and strengthen EU anti-money laundering regulations. Where do we stand today, approximately a year and a half after it came into force? Which regulations are already in place, and what can member states and financial institutions expect in the future? Below is a concise overview of the current status and timetable for the AML package.

Qualified participants, managing directors or board members of banks and other financial institutions that are licensed and supervised by FINMA will remember the forms with the inconspicuous designations B1, B2 and B3.

Unpredictable events or legal violations can suddenly plunge companies and their managers into a crisis situation.

After years of negotiations, Switzerland and the United States of America (USA) signed a new FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) Agreement on 27 June 2024.

In the "Finance Forum Zürich" special edition of the Handelszeitung of 26 June 2025, Fabian Schmid, Head of Regulatory & Compliance Financial Services, analyzes current developments in the Swiss financial market. He explains why Switzerland is well positioned from a regulatory perspective yet still faces important reform needs.

As part of the review of the Credit Suisse crisis, on 6 June 2025 the Federal Council set out the key parameters for comprehensive amendments to laws and ordinances aimed at further developing the existing regulatory and supervisory system in a targeted manner. The aim is to strengthen the financial centre and significantly reduce the risks for the government, taxpayers and the economy as a whole in the event of future crises.

Sanction and embargo regulations have gained massive relevance in recent years – both from a regulatory and operational perspective. Global crises, secondary sanction risks and geopolitically motivated restrictions are increasingly affecting Swiss financial intermediaries. While the legal situation is continuously evolving, regulatory authorities are raising their expectations for active management of sanction-related risks.

The FINMA circular on conduct obligations under the Financial Services Act (FinSA) came into force on 1 January 2025, in some cases with a transitional period until 30 June 2025. There is room for interpretation and uncertainty regarding the implementation of many of the provisions of the new circular. We summarise the most important challenges.

The Federal Council wants to ratify the Council of Europe's AI Convention What challenges will the financial sector face?