Switzerland, while demonstrating commitment to international standards, yet maintaining traditional caution, has decided to postpone the automatic exchange of tax information on crypto assets (CARF).
Despite the legislative framework for the implementation of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF)—an OECD standard—set to take effect within the country on January 1, 2026, the actual automatic data exchange with foreign tax authorities will be delayed until at least 2027.
The delay is not linked to technical unpreparedness, but is a strategic pause. The Federal Council has not yet approved the final list of partner countries for the exchange of confidential information, requiring additional verification of their compliance with strict Swiss data protection standards.
This decision grants crypto companies in Switzerland the necessary time for adaptation, and provides foreign asset holders with an additional, albeit temporary, “buffer” of confidentiality, underscoring Bern’s balanced and cautious approach to implementing global tax transparency in the field of digital finance.
