FAQ
Crypto-Assets

FAQ - General questions
_

How can I trade cryptocurrencies?

You can trade cryptocurrencies from your eTrading platform or through the cryptocurrency service in your eBanking portal.

You must hold a Swissquote trading account with cash available in EUR and/or USD, as currently cryptocurrencies cannot be traded directly against CHF.

You can trade cryptocurrencies from our mobile apps, our Crypto Assets platform (accessible from your eBanking or trading platform) and/or from the trading Workspace.

Most digital assets are quoted on USD and/or EUR and you can trade them as long as you have a positive buying power. Bear in mind that if you traded but you don’t have USD (or EUR) on your account, we may charge you debt interest on the lent USD (or EUR) amount.

Do I have to pay custody fees?

Yes, custody fees apply to crypto-assets and are levied quarterly. Our fees contribute to guaranteeing the safety of our clients’ digital assets and the security of our custody solutions, in order to deliver state-of-the-art systems that include multi-signature wallets, offline storage of cryptographic materials and strict access-control policies. To know more, check out our pricing page.

 

Do I have to pay transaction fees?

As a regulated Swiss bank, we offer competitive transaction fees on a degressive basis depending on the amount of transactions you make. More details can be found on the dedicated pricing section of our website.

What are the minimum/maximum transaction amounts?

Minimum and maximum amounts are defined per pair as follows:

Pair

Min buy/sell size equivalent

Max buy/sell size equivalent

BTC/USD10 USD500000 USD
BTC/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
ETH/USD10 USD500000 USD
ETH/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
XRP/USD10 USD500000 USD
XRP/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
SOL/USD5 USD1000000 USD
SOL/EUR5 EUR100000 EUR
VAX/USD1 USD200000 USD
VAX/EUR0.84 EUR73000 EUR
DOT/USD5 USD200000 USD
DOT/EUR5 EUR100000 EUR
ADA/USD5 USD1000000 USD
ADA/EUR5 EUR400000 EUR
ATOM/USD10 USD200000 USD
ALGO/USD10 USD200000 USD
ALGO/EUR10 EUR100000 EUR
XTZ/USD10 USD200000 USD
XTZ/EUR10 EUR100000 EUR
APE/USD1 USD250000 USD
APE/EUR1 EUR250000 EUR
LINK/USD10 USD200000 USD
LINK/EUR10 EUR200000 EUR
MAT/USD1 USD1300000 USD
MAT/EUR0.84 EUR430000 EUR
BNT/USD1 USD10000 USD
SAN/USD10 USD500000 USD
SAN/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
AXS/USD1 USD1800000 USD
AXS/EUR0.84 EUR350000 EUR
MAN/USD1 USD2900000 USD
MAN/EUR0.84 EUR850000 EUR
XDG/USD5 USD300000 USD
XDG/EUR5 EUR200000 EUR
UNI/USD1 USD200000 USD
FIL/USD1 USD200000 USD
FIL/EUR1 EUR84000 EUR
MKR/USD1 USD200000 USD
YFI/USD1 USD200000 USD
CHZ/USD1 USD650000 USD
CHZ/EUR0.84 EUR170000 EUR
AAVE/USD1 USD500000 USD
AAVE/EUR1 EUR92000 EUR
COMP/USD1 USD200000 USD
XLM/USD0.1 USD400000 USD
XLM/EUR0.1 EUR200000 EUR
ENJ/USD1 USD1200000 USD
BCH/USD10 USD500000 USD
BCH/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
LTC/USD10 USD500000 USD
LTC/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
ZRX/USD10 USD200000 USD
ZRX/EUR10 EUR100000 EUR
EOS/USD10 USD200000 USD
EOS/EUR10 EUR200000 EUR
ADI/USD10 USD500000 USD
ADI/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
ETC/USD10 USD200000 USD
ETC/EUR10 EUR100000 EUR
REP/USD10 USD60000 USD
HBR/USD10 USD500000 USD
HBR/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
SGB/USD10 USD500000 USD
SGB/EUR10 EUR500000 EUR
DOGE/USD5 USD200000 USD
DOGE/EUR5 EUR200000 EUR

 

 

Where do I find the charts?

The performance graph is available on the dedicated Crypto Asset platform under My account > Account overview > Crypto Assets > Trade > Show details. It is also available on the Markets & Quotes page under Crypto Assets and in the Swissquote app under Markets & Quotes > Cryptocurrencies.

What is the settlement date of a cryptocurrency?

Settlement is instantaneous.

How does Swissquote keep your cryptocurrencies safe and secure?

With the safety of our clients’ digital assets as our number one priority, Swissquote operates state-of-the-art security systems including multi-signature wallets, offline storage of cryptographic materials and strict access-control policies. We rely on redundant custody solutions, including ours and external partners’, to store client digital assets. Only a minimal amount of digital assets are held with sub-custodians, such as those necessary for day-to-day trading activities with the relevant liquidity providers.

Which are the Sub-custodians and Liquidity Providers used by Swissquote for Cryptocurrencies?

Swissquote stores the vast majority of client digital assets in direct custody. Only a minimal amount of digital assets are held with sub-custodians, such as those necessary for day-to-day trading activities with the relevant liquidity providers.

Digital AssetsServiceLiquidity ProviderSub-custodians
ETH, DOT, SOL and XTZStakingCoinbase Inc. (USA)Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LCC (USA)
BTC/USD/EUR, ETH/USD/EUR, XRP/USD/EUR, SOL/USD/EUR, ADA/USD/EUR, MATIC/USD/EUR, EOS/USD, REP/USD, DOGE/USD, AVAX/USD, AUDIO/USD, HBAR/USD, LTC/USD, BCH/USD, BNT/USD, ENJ/USD, APE/USD, AXS/USD, MANA/USD, GALA/USD, SAND/USD, ATOM/USD, ALGO/USD, LINK/USD, ETC/USD, DOT/USD, AAVE/USD, FIL/USD, XTZ/USD, CHZ/USD, XLM/USD, ZRX/USD, UNI/USD, COMP/USD, MKR/USDTradingNot applicable.
Traded on SQX.

Coinbase Inc. (USA)

Bitstamp Europe S.A. (Luxembourg)

Payward Inc. 

 

Which cryptocurrencies are traded on SQX, Swissquote’s crypto exchange?

The tokens Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Bancor (BNT), Enjin (ENJ), ApeCoin (APE), Axie Infinity (AXS), MANA (Decentraland), Gala (GALA), Litecoin (LTC), Hedera (HBAR), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), The Sandbox (SAND), Atom (ATOM), Algorand (ALGO), Chainlink (LINK), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Polkadot (DOT), Aave (AAVE), Filecoin (FIL), Polygon (MATIC), Chiliz (CHZ), Compound (COMP), Solana (SOL), Uniswap (UNI), Stellar (XLM), 0x (ZRX), Cardano (ADA), Maker (MKR), Eos (EOS), Augur (REP), Audius (AUDIO), Ripple (XRP), Dogecoin (DOGE), Avalanche (AVAX) and Tezos (XTZ) are available for trading on SQX in accordance with the SQX Trading Rules. Currently, the other cryptocurrencies remain tradeable outside SQX and their prices continue to be determined by the relevant liquidity provider.

The SEC has recently filed a complaint against U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase. To which extent is that relevant to Swissquote’s customers?

You may be aware that recently, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a complaint against U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase on allegations of violating federal securities law. In particular, the SEC sued Coinbase alleging that it broke securities laws by (i) operating as an unregistered broker, exchange and clearing agency, (ii) making available for trading crypto assets that are being offered and sold as investment contracts, and thus as securities, and by (iii) engaging in an unregistered securities offering through its staking-as-a–service program (according to the SEC, the staking-as-a-service program should be considered a security as well); according to the SEC, Coinbase should have registered with them and obtained the relevant license to conduct those activities.

This lawsuit has caused some cryptocurrency exchanges in the US and in Europe to delist certain cryptocurrencies that are qualified as securities by the SEC. The outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain, as is the effect it will have on the regulatory treatment of the relevant cryptocurrencies in other jurisdictions around the world.

Currently, the cryptocurrencies concerned by the complaint that are tradable with Swissquote continue to be listed at our partner Coinbase and are still available for trading on SQX. As a reminder, Coinbase acts as a liquidity provider and a sub-custodian for Swissquote with respect to a certain number of cryptocurrencies. Swissquote will continue providing access to those cryptocurrencies on SQX for as long as Swissquote considers it appropriate. Please be aware that the situation can change quickly.

If the cryptocurrencies concerned by the SEC complaint were to be delisted by our partner Coinbase and if the liquidity of those cryptocurrencies on SQX were to drop or to cease completely, we might have to halt trading with very little or no notice. Very importantly, this would mean that you would no longer be in a position to sell those cryptocurrencies. In a worst case scenario, those cryptocurrencies would have to stay with Swissquote without having the possibility to sell or transfer them. For these reasons, it is important that you regularly review your cryptocurrency holdings and whether you remain comfortable with the associated risks.

With which cryptocurrencies can I place stop limit orders?

You can place stop limit orders with the following cryptocurrencies: Ave (AAVE), Cardano (ADA), Algorand (ALGO), ApeCoin (APE), Cosmos (ATOM), Avalanche (AVAX), Axie Infinity (AXS), Chiliz (CHZ), Compound (COMP), Dogecoin (DOGE), Polkadot (DOT), Enjin (ENJ), EOS (EOS), Ethereum Classic (ETC), Filecoin (FIL), Chainlink (LINK), Decentraland (MANA), Polygon (MATIC), Maker (MKR), Augur (REP), Solana (SOL), Uniswap (UNI), Stellar (XLM), Tezos (XTZ), yearn.finance (YFI) and OX (ZRX).

What is Swissquote’s current policy in relation to the treatment of Hard Forks and similar events?

While the treatment of Hard Forks and similar events (incl. "airdrops" and other token allocation events) is uncertain from a legal and practical perspective, Swissquote’s current policy in this regard is to make its best efforts to have its concerned clients benefit from such events, the way Swissquote deems appropriate. For more details, please refer to our Policy on Hard forks and similar events and section 12 of our Digital Assets Contract.

Are cryptocurrencies taxable under Swiss Law?

Yes, Swiss taxpayers must declare their digital currencies. Swissquote provides details of your cryptocurrency positions in January of each year to help you declare them correctly. This information can be found in the «Documents» section of your account.

FAQ - Deposit and withdrawals
_

Can I use Swissquote as a "Wallet" (transfer in/out or make purchases)?

You can transfer Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Tezos (XTZ), Polkadot (DOT), Compound (COMP), Chainlink (LINK), Polygon (MATIC), Uniswap (UNI), or USD Coin (USDC) to/from an external wallet that you own personally. Cryptocurrency payments and transfers to/from third parties directly from your Swissquote account are not allowed.

How can I transfer cryptocurrencies to an external wallet?

1. A Swissquote Trading account is required to access cryptocurrency features.

2. If you have not yet activated cryptocurrency services for your account, you may do so from your Account Overview.

3. Go to the Payments & Transfers section and select the Crypto transfers tab. Alternatively, you can also access this service in the Cryptocurrency section of your eBanking under the "balance" tab.

4. Click on the Address whitelist and add the address of the external wallet(s) to which you want to send cryptocurrency.

5. From the Crypto transfers tab, select Withdraw.

6. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the transfer.

 

Watch our video tutorial.

 

Please note that transfers for the tokens COMP (Compound), LINK (Chainlink), MATIC (Polygon), UNI (Uniswap) and ETH (Ether) should be made on the Ethereum blockchain. Other alternatives such as BNB Chain or layer 2 blockchains are currently not supported.

How can I transfer cryptocurrencies to my Swissquote wallet?

1. A Swissquote Trading account is required to access cryptocurrency features.

2. If you have not yet activated cryptocurrency services for your account, you may do so from your Account Overview.

3. Go to the Payments & Transfers section and select the Crypto transfers tab. Alternatively, you can also access this service in the Cryptocurrency section of your eBanking under the "balance" tab.

4. From the Crypto transfers tab, select Deposit.

5. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the transfer.

Please note that transfers are only allowed from the whitelisted exchanges as listed in our platform or from a wallet for which you are the sole owner of the private key associated to the public address(es).

Deposits from any other exchanges or custodial wallets will be rejected and may incur additional transaction fees.

 

Watch our video tutorial.

 

Please note that transfers for the tokens COMP (Compound), LINK (Chainlink), MATIC (Polygon), UNI (Uniswap) and ETH (Ether) should be made on the Ethereum blockchain. Other alternatives such as BNB Chain or layer 2 blockchains are currently not supported.

Which cryptocurrencies can I send to Swissquote?

Your Swissquote wallet currently only supports transfers for the following cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Tezos (XTZ), Polkadot (DOT), Compound (COMP), Chainlink (LINK), Polygon (MATIC), Uniswap (UNI) and USD Coin (USDC). Trying to deposit any other currency may result in the loss of your transferred funds

Can I transfer cryptocurrency to/from a cryptocurrency exchange?

Deposits from an exchange

You can transfer cryptocurrency to your Swissquote account from any of the following whitelisted exchanges:

  • Coinbase
  • Kraken
  • Gemini
  • Bitstamp
  • Bitpanda
  • Revolut exchanges

Deposits from any other exchanges will be rejected and may incur additional transaction fees.

Please note that for legal reasons, deposits from exchanges are subject to additional confirmation steps: you will be required to provide screenshots of the transaction.

Withdrawals to an exchange

Withdrawals from your Swissquote wallet to a cryptocurrency exchange are currently not supported. Attempts to transfer cryptocurrency to an exchange could result in the loss of the transferred funds.

Is there a maximum limit for cryptocurrency deposits?

For cryptocurrency deposits (i.e. transfers to your Swissquote account) of a value in excess of USD 500’000, please contact our Customer Care.

Can I send/receive cryptocurrencies during the weekend?

Transfers ordered during weekends or holidays will only be processed from the following working day.

Does Swissquote charge fees for cryptocurrency transfers?

There are no fees for cryptocurrency deposits of a value equivalent or superior to USD 500. Deposits under that value and withdrawals incur a USD 10 or 15 flat fee. If you are an institutional, contact us at digital.assets@swissquote.com to know more about our tailored offering.

Is there a minimum deposit amount for cryptocurrency?

While there is no minimum deposit amount, please note that your Swissquote wallet only supports 8 decimal places. This means that deposits of smaller cryptocurrency fractions will not be accounted for.

Why was my Ethereum deposit rejected?

As Swissquote’s Ethereum transactions are generated from smart contracts, a common cause for the rejection of Ether deposits is an insufficient Ethereum gas limit. We recommend that you specify a gas limit of 70’000 on your external wallet prior to initiating the transaction, to ensure that it is executed promptly. Consult the help of your external wallet for details on setting gas limits. If you are still experiencing rejected transactions and cannot determine the cause, please contact our Customer Care Centre.

Are all Bitcoin address formats supported for transfers?

Yes, all Bitcoin addresses formats are supported.

What are gas prices (blockchain fees)?

Gas prices are transaction fees related to the ethereum blockchain. These fees are independent from Swissquote and can vary tremendously depending of the number of transactions on the Ethereum on the blockchain at any given time. Make sure to check gas prices before a making transaction, to be informed of the potential fees and transfer times. Visit etherscan.io/gastracker for real-time updates.