DLT Licence — Switzerland & Gibraltar
DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) provider licences in Switzerland and Gibraltar represent two of the world's most reputable crypto regulatory frameworks. Both are targeted at institutional-grade operations requiring premium regulatory standing.
What is a DLT licence?
A DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) provider licence authorises businesses to offer blockchain-based financial services under high-standard prudential and AML/CFT frameworks.
- Switzerland's FINMA introduced DLT-specific regulation under the DLT Act (effective 2021), building on the Federal Act on Financial Institutions (FINIG).
- Gibraltar was the first jurisdiction globally to introduce a DLT provider licence (2018), via the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC).
- DLT licences are typically more demanding than standard VASP registration — capital, governance and technical requirements are higher.
- Switzerland offers FINMA banking and securities licences alongside DLT authorisation for businesses requiring full prudential regulation.
- Neither Switzerland nor Gibraltar are EU members — DLT licences do not provide EU/EEA passporting rights.
DLT licences from Switzerland or Gibraltar do not grant EU/EEA passporting rights. Businesses targeting EU retail clients must additionally obtain MiCA CASP authorisation.
Who DLT licensing is right for
Best for
- Institutional-grade exchanges, custodians and prime brokers requiring maximum-reputation regulatory standing.
- Token issuers and DeFi infrastructure providers that need FINMA-level legal clarity.
- Businesses where institutional counterparties (banks, asset managers) require premium-jurisdiction licensing.
- Operators comfortable with higher capital and governance requirements in exchange for top-tier reputation.
Not for
- Early-stage businesses with limited capital — DLT routes require substantial capital and compliance infrastructure.
- Businesses targeting primarily EU/EEA retail clients (MiCA CASP is more appropriate).
- Operators needing fast time-to-market — both routes take at least 4 months minimum.
- Models requiring cross-border EU passporting — DLT licences have no passporting mechanism.
DLT jurisdictions
Select a jurisdiction to see the full country page with FINMA / GFSC requirements, costs and application process.
Frequently asked questions about DLT licensing
A DLT licence is typically a higher-standard framework with stronger prudential requirements — higher capital, more governance scrutiny, and stricter technical requirements. VASP is the general FATF-derived term used by most jurisdictions, while DLT-specific licences (Switzerland, Gibraltar) go beyond basic VASP compliance.
No. Switzerland is not an EU/EEA member and has no passporting arrangement for DLT services. EU retail client servicing requires a MiCA CASP authorisation from an EU member state.
Capital requirements depend on service scope and the specific FINMA authorisation category sought. DLT Trading Facility operators face higher requirements than DLT Securities Depositories. Consult FINMA guidance or a Swiss regulatory adviser for current thresholds.
This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice.