Switzerland: Crypto Valley and the Future of Financial Services Talent

Often hailed as Europe’s crypto valley, Switzerland boasts one of the continent’s strongest blockchain frameworks: world-class talent, a favourable regulatory environment, and plenty of opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.

Global attitudes towards crypto may have softened in recent years, but we’re still some ways off from seeing it hit the mainstream. If (or when) it does, there’s a good chance it won’t be a grand reveal.

It’s more likely we’ll see blockchain technology seamlessly integrated into everyday banking transactions without the end user even being aware.

In Switzerland, one of the first countries in the world to enact legal regulations for blockchain tech, we’re seeing this integration transform the infrastructure of financial services.

Broadgate’s consultants explore the implications for the financial services recruitment market, evolving business models, and regulatory trends below.

Swiss Financial Services: A Magnet for Talent

While Switzerland commands a highly skilled talent pool, it’s a small one. Skill gaps are widening as demand for specialised talent increases across areas like risk recruitment, compliance staffing, and operational resilience.

Swiss firms have long relied on cross-border hiring to bridge these gaps, a trend accelerated by tech innovation and global mobility.

As per data from the Federal Statistical Office, in Q4 of 2024, 34.4% of Switzerland’s employed population had a foreign nationality (a 25.6% increase from 1991).

Switzerland also reached an exchange agreement with the US last year, making it easier for young trainees and professionals to move between the two countries. For fintech startups and scale-ups, it’s a key lever to access high-impact international talent.

The alpine nation continues to create space for global professionals, with 8,500 work permits approved for non-EU/EFTA nationals in 2025. These include both long-term (B) and short-term (L) permits, as well as dedicated quotas for UK nationals and EU/EFTA service providers — a structure that supports agile workforce planning and access to specialist skills.

Firms working in this space are navigating two shallow talent pools — Deep Tech and Financial Services. In this sense, easy access to top international professionals couldn’t be harder. Employer branding, benchmarked compensation, meaningful work, and a visible commitment to innovation are all key to standing out in a highly competitive space.

The Rise of Interdisciplinary Talent

The crypto space uniquely captures the convergence of tech and finance. As hiring budgets tighten and requirements expand, we’re seeing increased demand for cross-functional specialists, especially in:

  • Risk and compliance professionals with AML experience for decentralised systems

  • Engineers and smart contract auditors with a focus on secure architecture

  • Data product managers with business intelligence and reporting expertise

This shift calls for smarter, more targeted approaches to financial services staffing — especially across jurisdictions like Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg.

Regulation: Guardrails Without Red Tape

Switzerland continues to lead with a functional, pragmatic approach to digital asset regulation.

Token classification here offers a level of clarity still missing in many global markets. Payment tokens — such as cryptocurrencies used purely for exchange — are generally not treated as financial instruments, provided they don’t grant rights or function like securities.

This legal distinction gives crypto-native firms more room to operate, while still ensuring oversight where needed. It’s part of what makes Switzerland such fertile ground for digital asset recruitment, innovation, and growth.

Recent Regulatory Updates:

  • FINMA licensing for DLT trading facilities: Switzerland’s regulator has licensed the first Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) trading facility, governed under the Financial Market Infrastructure Act — a historic move in blockchain regulation.

  • EU MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets): Came into effect in December 2024. Swiss providers must secure EU authorisation by July 2026 to continue operating across borders.

  • AEOI and Crypto Data Exchanges: Starting in 2027, the Swiss Government aims to include crypto assets in the Automatic Exchange of Information framework, increasing tax transparency and bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance.

  • FINMA restructuring: A new Integrated Risk Expertise division launched in April, with digitalisation now centralised under operations. This could signal a more unified approach to tech regulation, particularly in crypto markets.

Digital Asset Adoption: Gaining Momentum

An estimated $2.5 billion in crypto assets is already managed through Swiss institutions. With its innovation-friendly stance and resilient financial services sector, Switzerland remains a hotbed for blockchain talent.

Recent examples highlight the acceleration:

  • BlackRock’s European expansion: Launching a Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) through Zurich-based iShares Digital Assets AG to meet rising demand among European investors.

  • Swiss banks embrace crypto: Around 28% of Swiss banks now offer or are planning to offer cryptocurrency investment services — including major players like PostFinance and cantonal banks.

  • Bitcoin Suisse & SSI Wealth Management: A partnership merging institutional-grade digital asset services with traditional wealth management. This speaks to changing consumer expectations and the convergence of crypto and legacy finance.

Let’s Connect

Hoping to make your mark in the crypto space? Whether you're hiring, getting hired, or exploring how blockchain is shaping the future of work, Broadgate is here to support your journey.

Contact:
Callum Dudrenec
Head of Digital Assets & Crypto – Broadgate Search – Switzerland
📧 callum.dudrenec@broadgatesearch.com