18.11.2025
Whether as a payment method, for international transactions or as an investment option, cryptocurrencies are no longer the niche product they once were, but are becoming a crucial part of modern financial strategies. If you get to grips with cryptos now, you’ll not only gain an edge in terms of knowledge, but also lay the foundation for future competitive advantages.
Sandro Brühlmann, Senior Business Development Manager, Digital Assets at PostFinance.
Cryptocurrencies are still of little importance for many Swiss SMEs, but interest in them is growing constantly. While only a few companies actively use cryptoassets today, it’s clear that they are set to become increasingly relevant in the next few years. More and more companies are looking into Bitcoin, Ethereum and stablecoins – whether as a payment method, for international transactions or as part of strategic diversification in treasury.
Access for companies is becoming much easier and more secure thanks to increasing market professionalization, growing regulatory clarity and the integration of crypto services by established banks such as PostFinance. It means cryptocurrencies are evolving from a niche product into a serious component of modern financial strategies. Younger entrepreneurs, tech-savvy SMEs and internationally oriented companies in particular recognize the potential and are taking advantage of the opportunity to build up expertise early on.
How relevant cryptocurrencies are depends on the individual sector. There’s particularly strong interest in sectors that are already digitally or internationally focused. These include technology and IT companies, fintechs, e-commerce providers and export-oriented service providers.
Such sectors use cryptocurrencies to appeal to new customer segments, simplify international payments or test innovative business models. Some online retailers already accept Bitcoin or stablecoin payments, while software companies are invoicing their services in cryptoassets. The first use cases are also emerging in tourism and the hotel industry, where guests can pay their bills directly in cryptos. This is also the case with luxury goods.
The use of cryptocurrencies is still relatively limited in traditional sectors such as construction, skilled trades and manufacturing. But there’s also growing awareness in these areas that blockchain and crypto technologies could bring efficiency benefits in the future such as in supply chains, smart contracts and the digital processing of business operations.
The financial industry is also showing an active interest in cryptocurrencies. Industry giants such as BlackRock have already launched dedicated investment products that provide easy access to this asset class. This underlines the potential of cryptos as a supplement to traditional portfolios.
Overall, the proportion of companies using cryptocurrencies in their operations remains small. But the number of companies strategically addressing the opportunities and risks is growing rapidly. In today’s business world, cryptos are mainly used in three specific areas:
Companies that are considering cryptos should get to grips with technical and organizational matters early on. This mainly includes building up internal expertise and setting out clear processes. Important points:
Companies have to decide whether they want to store cryptocurrencies themselves (self-custody) or, for example, rely on a regulated banking solution. The latter usually offers greater security, easier handling and better integration into existing systems.
Cryptocurrencies are considered as assets in Switzerland and must be entered into the balance sheet accordingly, depending on how they are used. Due diligence obligations also apply to larger transactions. Early consultation with the fiduciary and compliance units is recommended.
As cryptocurrencies can be volatile, companies should set clear limits and guidelines for payments or investments. If you accept crypto payments, you can avoid exchange rate risks by automatically converting amounts into Swiss francs or stablecoins.
Simple plug-and-play solutions from payment service providers or banks are ideal for getting started. They make it possible for companies to accept crypto payments without them having to operate their own wallets.
Expert knowledge of finance, IT and law is crucial to ensure cryptocurrencies are used securely and in full legal compliance.
Careful preparation enables the potential of cryptos to be harnessed without taking uncontrolled risks.
The next few years will be decisive for the crypto market. Several trends are emerging:
These developments mean cryptoassets will no longer be regarded as an alternative experiment from 2026, but instead part of a modern, connected financial world.
Proper safekeeping is the key to using cryptocurrencies in a business environment. While self-custody solutions offer full control, they are technically challenging and risky if private keys are lost.
This is why companies are increasingly opting for regulated custody solutions from banks. These combine the highest security standards with simple connectivity to accounting or treasury systems. It allows companies to hold cryptoassets professionally and in full compliance without any additional technical infrastructure.
For SMEs, this means that cryptocurrencies in the future can be stored just as securely and easily as traditional investments, with the additional flexibility of cryptoassets.
With our payment newsletter, you’ll receive industry news, trend analyses and expert tips directly to your inbox.
