Swiss digital asset banking group Sygnum is accelerating its expansion across Europe after securing a Markets in Crypto-Assets (Micar) licence for its Liechtenstein-based subsidiary. The authorisation gives the firm direct access to clients throughout the European Union and European Economic Area, marking a significant milestone in its international growth strategy.  

The licence comes as the EU’s Micar transition period comes to an end, allowing Sygnum Europe to operate under the bloc’s harmonised crypto regulatory framework. Leveraging its banking infrastructure in Switzerland, Singapore and the Middle East, the company aims to expand its reach among high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors and financial institutions across Europe.  

Banking Platform at the Core

Unlike many newly authorised crypto service providers, Sygnum combines its MiCAR licence with an established banking platform, institutional-grade custody, digital asset investment products and a ready-to-deploy Bank-to-Bank infrastructure.

«The convergence of traditional and digital finance makes trust Europe’s most valuable currency,» said Simon Schneider, Chief Executive of Sygnum Europe. He added that direct access to the European market would allow the company to bring its regulated digital asset services to a broader client base.  

Focus on Private Wealth and Institutions

One of Sygnum’s key target markets is Europe’s growing population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking exposure to digital assets. Clients will be able to trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin through integrated accounts while benefiting from regulated institutional custody and access to products including the Sygnum Crypto Yield Fund.  

Institutional investors are another priority. Sygnum plans to offer its off-exchange custody platform, Protect, to hedge funds, asset managers and proprietary trading firms. By separating custody from trading venues, the platform is designed to reduce counterparty risk associated with crypto exchanges.  

Helping Banks Enter Digital Assets

Sygnum also sees a major opportunity in serving Europe’s banking sector. According to the company, most of the continent’s more than 5,000 banks have yet to introduce digital asset services because of the significant infrastructure and regulatory requirements involved.  

Through its Bank-to-Bank platform, Sygnum enables financial institutions to launch regulated digital asset offerings more quickly while reducing implementation costs and operational complexity. The company already provides digital asset capabilities through more than 25 partner banks, including PostFinance, reaching more than one-third of Switzerland’s population. It expects to become one of Europe’s largest regulated Bank-to-Bank digital asset networks by client reach in 2027.  

AI Supports Growth Strategy

Alongside its European expansion, Sygnum continues to invest in artificial intelligence. The bank says it was the first regulated Swiss bank to execute live AI-driven digital asset transactions using a Human-in-the-Loop approach that combines AI with human oversight. Earlier this month, Fortune named Sygnum among the world’s 30 leading “Crypto Innovators” for its contribution to blockchain and digital asset innovation.