Raiffeisen to Offer Cryptocurrency Trading and Custody Services Starting 2027
Raiffeisen Schweiz is set to enter the cryptocurrency market, launching trading and custody services for selected digital assets in 2027. This move was confirmed exclusively by the cooperative bank in an announcement to CVJ.CH. For this initiative, Raiffeisen will partner with Sygnum Bank, a regulated Swiss crypto-focused bank, rather than developing an in-house infrastructure.
About Raiffeisen Schweiz
Raiffeisen Schweiz is a cooperative comprising 212 legally independent banks headquartered in St. Gallen. It is the second-largest Swiss banking group by balance sheet total, managing approximately CHF 323 billion, trailing only UBS. However, it holds the position as the country’s largest retail bank by customer numbers. Raiffeisen’s business centers around local retail banking, including mortgages, savings accounts, and investment advisory services for private customers and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
At the end of 2025, the group reported mortgage claims totaling CHF 230.9 billion, serving 3.7 million customers with client deposits of CHF 225.8 billion and a custody portfolio amounting to CHF 59.7 billion.
Launching Cryptocurrency Services in 2027
Raiffeisen is responding to increasing client demand for investment opportunities in cryptocurrencies through a trusted, locally established bank. The organization plans to offer selective cryptocurrency trading and secure custody services sometime in 2027. Details about which cryptocurrencies will be available and the exact timing within the year have yet to be disclosed.
Instead of building its own crypto infrastructure, Raiffeisen has chosen to collaborate with Sygnum, leveraging its expertise and regulated platform to provide these services. This partnership follows prior cooperation between the two institutions, including joint involvement in a regulatory sandbox focused on creating a Swiss franc stablecoin.
Sygnum Bank: The Partner for Regulated Crypto Infrastructure
Sygnum Bank, founded in 2018 and licensed in Switzerland since August 2019, specializes in digital assets. It also holds a license from Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS). In January 2025, following a $58 million funding round led by Fulgur Ventures, Sygnum achieved unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion.
Serving predominantly business clients (B2B), Sygnum provides an API-based platform that enables over 20 banking partners worldwide to integrate cryptocurrency services, including buying, selling, custody, and tokenization, into their offerings. Additional services such as compliance advisory and customizable product suites allow partner banks to tailor their crypto services.
Switzerland’s Growing Crypto Banking Landscape
Raiffeisen’s entrance adds to a burgeoning trend among Swiss banks embracing cryptocurrency services. Switzerland leads globally in crypto banking, with about 20 financial institutions currently offering such products — more than any other country.
Key players include PostFinance and several cantonal banks from Zurich, Zug, Lucerne, and St. Gallen. UBS, Switzerland’s largest bank, is also preparing to offer cryptocurrency trading to its affluent clients. Supporting this ecosystem are two FINMA-regulated crypto-specialized banks, AMINA and Sygnum, which provide B2B infrastructure solutions.
Customer Demand Driving Adoption
The expansion of crypto services across Swiss banks is often driven more by client demand than pure strategic confidence in the sector. Many customers seek the convenience and security of investing in digital assets with their established bank. Without local offerings, clients tend to move their funds to specialized providers like Swissquote or dedicated crypto exchanges.
This dynamic has prompted significant capital outflows from traditional banks. For instance, ZĂĽrcher Kantonalbank reported outflows of at least CHF 600 million, while PostFinance cited figures exceeding CHF 1 billion.
With Raiffeisen joining the crypto banking space, UBS remains one of the last major Swiss banks yet to provide its retail clients with direct access to cryptocurrency assets.
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