Swissquote

What Is Swissquote?

Swissquote is a Swiss online bank and trading platform founded in 1996 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The company is publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SQN) and operates under the supervision of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

As one of Switzerland's leading digital banking groups, Swissquote serves over 610,000 client accounts and manages approximately CHF 68 billion in assets. The bank employs more than 1,177 staff across its global operations, with additional banking licenses in Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.

Swissquote combines traditional Swiss banking services with modern online trading capabilities, offering access to over 3 million financial products including stocks, ETFs, bonds, forex, CFDs, cryptocurrencies, and structured products across 60+ global exchanges.

Swissquote Services and Features

Online Trading Platform

Swissquote provides access to multiple trading platforms including the proprietary CFXD platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView integration. The platforms offer advanced charting tools, real-time market data, and ultra-fast order execution averaging 9 milliseconds.

Multi-Currency Banking

Account holders receive a Swiss IBAN with multi-currency capabilities supporting CHF, EUR, USD, GBP, AED, and additional currencies. The integrated banking features include domestic and international transfers, standing orders, and e-billing.

Investment Products

Swissquote offers comprehensive investment options including stocks and ETFs on 60+ exchanges, mutual funds from premium providers like BlackRock and Fidelity, bonds and fixed-income products, options and futures, structured products, and robo-advisory services.

Forex and CFD Trading

The forex division provides access to 80+ currency pairs, precious metals, and 400+ CFD instruments covering indices, commodities, and shares. Leverage up to 1:100 is available for eligible clients.

Cryptocurrency Trading

Through the proprietary SQX exchange, Swissquote offers trading in 52 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major digital assets. Crypto staking options are also available for select coins.

Fractional Trading

Since October 2024, Swissquote supports fractional trading in stocks and ETFs, allowing investors to purchase partial shares starting from small amounts.

Debit Card

Swissquote provides a Debit Mastercard (virtual card free, physical card available) for worldwide payments and ATM withdrawals linked directly to your trading account.

Swissquote Pricing and Fees

Account Fees

• Account opening: Free
• Custody fee: 0.025% per quarter (min CHF 15, max CHF 50)
• Annual custody fee cap: CHF 200 maximum
• Inactivity fee: None for trading accounts (CHF 10/month for forex accounts after 6 months)

Trading Commissions

Swiss Stocks (SIX):

• CHF 0-2,000: CHF 20 per trade
• CHF 2,000-10,000: CHF 30 per trade
• CHF 10,000-50,000: CHF 55-135 per trade

US Stocks (NYSE/NASDAQ):

• USD 0-500: USD 3 per trade
• USD 500-2,000: USD 5-15 per trade
• Above USD 2,000: Volume-based pricing

ETFs (ETF Leader Program):

• CHF/EUR/USD 0-500: CHF 3 per trade
• CHF/EUR/USD 500-1,000: CHF 5 per trade
• Above CHF 1,000: CHF 9 per trade

ETF Savings Plan

• Automatic investing from CHF 3 per execution
• Fractional trading included

Forex Spreads

• EUR/USD: From 1.1 pips (Prime Account) to 1.7 pips (Standard Account)
• No additional commission on forex trades

Cryptocurrency Fees

• Trading fee: 1% of trade value (0.75% above CHF 10K, 0.5% above CHF 50K)
• No custody fees for crypto assets

Other Fees

• Currency conversion: 0.95% flat fee
• Withdrawal fee: CHF 10
• Securities transfer out: CHF/EUR/USD 50 per line

Supported Countries

Swissquote accepts clients from most countries worldwide. Account opening is available to residents of Switzerland, European Union member states, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and many other regions.

Restricted Countries

Swissquote is not authorized by regulatory authorities in the following jurisdictions:

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom (separate UK entity available)
• Germany
• Italy
• France
• Russia
• Japan
• Turkey

Residents of these countries may still access the platform on their own initiative, but Swissquote cannot actively promote services or provide solicitation in these markets. For UK residents, Swissquote Ltd (UK) operates as a separate regulated entity offering forex and CFD services.

Card Restrictions

Swissquote Debit Mastercard transactions may be restricted in certain high-risk countries due to compliance and anti-money laundering regulations.

Swissquote Pros and Cons

Pros

• FINMA-regulated Swiss bank listed on SIX Swiss Exchange
• Deposits protected up to CHF 100,000 (esisuisse guarantee)
• Access to 3+ million financial products across 60+ exchanges
• Swiss IBAN with multi-currency banking capabilities
• Ultra-fast execution speed (9ms average)
• US ETF access available for Swiss and eligible clients
• Fractional trading for stocks and ETFs
• Comprehensive crypto trading with 52 assets
• Multiple platform options (CFXD, MT4, MT5, TradingView)
• No inactivity fee on trading accounts
• Custody fee cap at CHF 200/year
• Share registration in your own name available

Cons

• Higher trading fees compared to discount brokers
• High currency conversion fee (0.95%)
• Minimum deposit of CHF 1,000 for some account types
• Complex fee structure varies by product and exchange
• No raw spread accounts available
• Limited withdrawal options (bank transfer only)
• Forex account inactivity fee after 6 months
• Not available to US residents
• Crypto fees relatively high (1%)

Who Should Use Swissquote?

Swissquote is ideal for:

• Swiss residents seeking a comprehensive local banking and brokerage solution
• Expats in Switzerland who need multi-currency banking with investment capabilities
• Active traders requiring access to multiple asset classes and advanced platforms
• Long-term investors who value Swiss banking security and deposit protection
• Crypto enthusiasts wanting regulated Swiss custody for digital assets
• High-net-worth individuals benefiting from the custody fee cap
• Professional traders needing institutional-grade execution and tools

Swissquote may not be suitable for:

• Cost-conscious investors seeking the lowest fees
• US residents (not accepted)
• Beginners with small capital looking for simple solutions
• Frequent currency converters due to high FX fees
• Traders requiring raw spread accounts

Swissquote Alternatives

• Interactive Brokers - Global broker with lower trading fees, ideal for active traders seeking cost efficiency across multiple markets
• Dukascopy Bank - Swiss online bank with lower minimum deposits and crypto-friendly services
• eToro - Social trading platform with commission-free stock trading and copy trading features