Swiss cantonal bank BancaStato has started offering regulated crypto trading and custody services. The move comes through a partnership with Sygnum, a Swiss digital asset bank. Customers can now buy, sell, and hold Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies directly within the bank's existing Avaloq-powered mobile and online banking apps.
What the partnership covers
BancaStato is a state-owned bank based in the canton of Ticino. By integrating Sygnum's infrastructure, it avoids building its own crypto stack from scratch. Sygnum holds a Swiss banking and securities dealer license, which means the custody and trading are subject to the same regulatory framework as traditional banking services. The offering includes Bitcoin and an unspecified range of other crypto assets.
This is another sign that regulated banks in Switzerland are moving beyond just talking about digital assets. BancaStato's existing customers can now access crypto without leaving the bank's app or opening an account at a separate exchange. For Sygnum, the deal expands its B2B distribution network. The partnership also shows how Avaloq, a core banking platform used by many Swiss banks, can support crypto features without a full overhaul.
BancaStato hasn't said which specific assets beyond Bitcoin are included, or whether it plans to add staking or lending later. The bank will likely announce the full asset list and any fee structure in the coming weeks. For now, the service is live and available to existing retail and corporate clients.
