Swiss Crypto Tax Rules: What You Need to Know in 2025

When it comes to Swiss crypto tax rules, the official framework that defines how cryptocurrency gains, mining, and trading are taxed in Switzerland. Also known as Swiss cryptocurrency taxation, it’s one of the most transparent systems in the world—yet many still get it wrong because they assume it’s tax-free. Unlike countries that treat crypto as currency or property, Switzerland classifies it as an asset, which changes everything about how you report it.

Here’s the core truth: if you sell crypto for Swiss francs or trade it for another coin and make a profit, that gain is taxable. But only if it’s a private individual, a person trading crypto for personal investment, not as a business. Also known as private investor, this group gets favorable treatment under Swiss law. If you’re just holding Bitcoin for a few years and then cashing out, you pay zero tax—unless you’re trading frequently. The Swiss Federal Tax Administration says trading more than three times a year, or treating crypto like a job, can reclassify you as a professional trader. That means you pay income tax on all gains, not just capital gains.

Staking and mining? Those count as income. If you earn new tokens from staking Ethereum or mining Monero, you owe tax on their value in Swiss francs at the moment you receive them. Same with airdrops—you’re taxed when you take control of the tokens, not when you sell. And if you gift crypto to someone? No tax for you, but the receiver might owe tax later if they sell it at a profit. Don’t forget: you must keep records of every transaction, including wallet addresses and dates. The Swiss tax authorities don’t ask for them upfront, but they can request them for up to seven years after filing.

Switzerland doesn’t have a national crypto tax form. Each canton handles it differently. Zurich, Geneva, and Zug all have different thresholds and reporting rules. Some cantons don’t tax small gains under 1,000 CHF. Others tax everything. That’s why knowing your local tax office’s stance matters more than the federal guidelines. And yes, if you’re a foreign resident in Switzerland, you’re still subject to these rules if you live there for more than 183 days a year.

What you won’t find in official documents? Clear rules on DeFi, NFTs, or wrapped tokens. That’s where things get messy. If you use a DEX to trade tokens and make a profit, the tax office still expects you to report it. If you mint an NFT and sell it, that’s a capital gain. If you use a lending protocol and earn interest, that’s income. The Swiss tax system doesn’t have special categories for these yet—but it doesn’t need to. It treats them as assets or income, period.

Below, you’ll find real reviews and breakdowns from people who’ve dealt with Swiss crypto taxes firsthand—from those who got hit with unexpected bills after a busy year of trading, to others who saved thousands by knowing exactly when to sell. You’ll see how people in Zug report mining income, how Zurich residents track wallet transfers, and why some traders moved to Portugal just to avoid the paperwork. This isn’t theory. These are the stories behind the rules.