The New Swiss Blockchain DLT Laws have been approved by the Swiss Parliament on 25 September 2020. Finalised last week, laws are expected to come into effect in early 2021:

What is important to know?

• A specific category of tokenised rights named "Uncertificated Register Securities" regarding security token issuers;

• A specific new licence category for DLT trading facilities (aka. crypto exchanges);

• A clear framework for crypto-based asset custody provider

• Small crypto exchanges may have facilitations;

• Fully decentralised platforms will not benefit from the new DLT Trading Facilities license;

• Crypto exchanges only for discretionary multilateral and bilateral trading of tokens with securities quality do not necessarily require this license;

• Payment tokens issuers and decentralised trading platforms will be subject to Swiss AML law

• The Bankruptcy Law related to crypto-based assets creates a legal framework for segregating digital assets from third-party custodians in case of bankruptcy proceedings against them.

• The DLT law will also amend the Swiss Financial Services Act, Swiss Anti Money Laundering Law, Banking Law/FinTech License, Organised Trading Facilities and the Swiss Stock Corporation Law.

To dive into details:

https://www.newsd.admin.ch/newsd/message/attachments/59301.pdf

https://www.cms-lawnow.com/ealerts/2020/10/the-new-swiss-blockchain-laws-have-been-finalised-and-presumably-enter-into-force-early-2021?cc_lang=en&utm_content=143589327&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-4874605

https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/federal-gazette/2020/233.pdf