The regulatory framework for the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in Switzerland was being worked out for years already. The adaption of Swiss law is now getting to the final stages, with overwhelming support from the Federal Council, and expected to be completed in 2021.

Switzerland has been developing a regulatory framework for DLTs since 2014, following the principle of ‘technological neutrality’. Consequently, Switzerland has been adapting existing principles-based laws to technological innovation in a pragmatic way, aiming to preserve systemic stability, grant consumer protection and favor sustainable investments in the DLT space.

The ongoing consultation on the adaptations to various implementing ordinances of civil and financial laws marks a fundamental milestone, ensuring the legality of assets transactions on DLT platforms, authorizing DLT-based trading systems and codifying the treatment of DLT-based assets in bankruptcy procedures. The development of DLT-based regulation has been characterized by regular consultations with the relevant stakeholders and has gained remarkably high political support. The expectation is therefore for a swift finalization and approval of the changes to the implementing ordinances and for a timely entry into force of the regulatory framework in 2021.

A consistent, pragmatic and efficient gestation

Switzerland’s notorious favorable business framework conditions (political and economic stability, workforce education, tax efficiency) have attracted DLT-based business since as early as 2012–13. The authorities have supported these innovations following a regulatory process based on technological neutrality and adjusting or complementing the prevailing principles-based legal framework in a pragmatic manner.

Key steps have been the removal of barriers to entry for fintech in 2016, the introduction of a sandbox on 1 September 2017, the issuance of Initial Coin Offering guidance by the FINMA in 2018 and 2019 (the latter version clarifying the provision applicable to stablecoin projects), the introduction in October 2018 of crypto prudential rules for banks, the addition of the Fintech License as a new form of authorization on 1 January 2019, and the introduction of a stringent approach to AML on the blockchain on 26 August 2019 (implementing the decisions taken by the FATF in June 2019). The Federal Council (FC) kickstarted the project of a comprehensive DLT legal framework in December 2018, anticipating the need for selective adjustments to achieve the best possible framework conditions for DLT business in Switzerland.

Core amendments presented by the Federal Council

The FC identified three core adjustments to federal laws. The first adaptation concerns the Swiss Code of Obligations. The Code misses the recognition of DLTs to act as an electronic register of rights. The adjustment implements such recognition, guaranteeing the function of negotiable securities to such registrations. The result is the creation of legal certainty around the issuance and negotiation of such registered securities over the blockchain.

The second change refers to the Financial Market Infrastructure Law, which does not foresee trading systems based on DLT. Thus, this law is being complemented with a new authorization category allowing DLT-based trading, clearing, settlement and custody of securities. The new authorization is open to regulated financial institutions and private clients and is subject to the AML Act.

The third adjustment covers the Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy law and regulates the segregation of DLT-based assets in case of the bankruptcy of a custodian. These suggested amendments were unanimously approved by the Swiss Parliament on 10 September 2020.

Proposed ordinance-level amendments

The consequence of the Parliament’s approval of the amendments of the suggested law is the adaptation of several ordinances implementing the laws in practice. The FC initiated the consultation on 19 October 2020. A short summary is given below:

• The procedure governing the restitution of assets laid out in the Federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Ordinance shall be extended to cover crypto assets.
• The specification of the crypto assets subject to authorization, and the criteria surrounding such authorizations, shall be added to the Banking Ordinance.
• The Financial Institutions Ordinance shall reflect the new authorization category allowing the DLT-based trading, clearing, settlement and custody.
• The Financial Market Infrastructure Ordinance shall specify the authorization conditions and related obligations attached to the new DLT-based trading facilities. These requirements are subject to the proportionality principle and foresee reliefs for smaller venues.
• The Financial Services ordinance shall be modified to account for prospectus obligations related to the issuance of securities on DLT-based trading systems.
• It is also proposed to relax the condition of the sole power of disposal on third-party assets governing the application of the AML Ordinance, a proposal likely to generate comments from the private sector.
• Finally, minor changes shall align the current ordinance governing the fees of FINMA to the reality of crypto assets and crypto finance more broadly.

The changes envisaged are expected to increase the attractiveness of the crypto nation, Switzerland, by providing comprehensive legal certainty. This will concern entrepreneurs eager to offer DLT-based products and services, who will also benefit from size-based reliefs concerning governance, capital and liquidity requirements in the case of DLT-based trading systems. It will concern consumers, who will be able to reap the benefits of financial innovation in a protected and transparent environment (reference is, in particular, to bankruptcy rules and transparency requirements as well as the supervisory activity applicable to providers of DLT-based financial services).

The overwhelming support for the legislative process since its launch in autumn 2018 and the broad involvement of stakeholders throughout the process would encourage a swift start in enforcing the rules; the industry would wish this to be earlier than 1 August 2021 for the fundamental changes to the Code of Obligations providing legal certainty to the tokenization business.

Conclusion

The ongoing consultation on the adaptations of several implementing Ordinances in Switzerland is the last step in the process, which began in November 2018, of fundamentally developing the Swiss legal framework to create a supportive and risk-controlled environment for DLT-based products and services. The completion of the process will provide Switzerland with the most comprehensive and articulated DLT regulatory framework globally, realized through the adaptation of current laws as opposed to introducing a dedicated Act.

November 2020 was characterized by several noteworthy regulatory developments in the digital space, including the creation—at the federal level in Switzerland—of a Green Fintech Network aimed to increase sustainability in the fintech space, the start of consultation by FINMA on upgrading video identification guidelines to account for technological progress, the announcement of AML & CFT standards for P2P crypto exchanges by the FATF, and the call to G20 nations by the President of China to support CBDCs with dedicated global standards.

*Originally posted at CVJ.CH