Can I Buy Bitcoin with PostFinance?

Yes, and unlike most Swiss banks, you can do it without leaving the PostFinance App. PostFinance launched "Crypto by PostFinance" on 21 February 2024, becoming the first systemically important Swiss bank to offer direct crypto trading. 

As of February 2026, PostFinance supports 22 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Cardano, Polkadot, Chainlink, USDC, Algorand, Arbitrum, NEAR, Stellar, and SUI. Minimum investment is USD 50, and trading runs 24/7 from your private or savings account.

The catch is cost. The spread on each trade runs around 1.8%, with annual portfolio fees on top. On a CHF 1,000 BTC buy, that is about CHF 18 in spread versus roughly CHF 1 on a crypto exchange in Switzerland like Kraken Pro.

PostFinance also does not yet support coin deposits or withdrawals. You cannot move Bitcoin in from a hardware wallet or out to an external address. This means you cannot send your assets in or out of the app.

How to Buy Crypto with PostFinance

If you want access to hundreds more coins, lower trading fees, or advanced features like futures and margin, you will want to fund an external exchange from your PostFinance account. CHF bank transfers from PostFinance to Swiss and European exchanges work reliably.

Kraken is our recommended platform due to its EU-wide regulatory compliance, diverse CHF deposit methods, low trading fees and selection of 600 cryptocurrencies for spot and futures trading.

Steps to buy crypto via Kraken:

1. Create an Account: Sign up on Kraken and complete KYC verification. Use the same name as your PostFinance account to avoid payment matching issues.
2. Fund Your Account: In Kraken, go to Funding > Deposit > CHF. Select bank transfer (SIC for same-day settlement within Switzerland, or SEPA for EUR). Copy the bank details and payment reference exactly as shown.
3. Send the Transfer: In e-finance or the PostFinance App, create a new payment. Paste the beneficiary IBAN, name, and reference. SIC transfers from PostFinance to Kraken typically settle the same business day. SEPA transfers for EUR take one to two business days.
4. Buy Crypto: Once the CHF or EUR lands in Kraken, go to Trade, search for the asset you want, and place your order. Use "Pro" or limit orders for the lowest fees (0.16% maker).

PostFinance Fees Compared

The fee gap between PostFinance's in-app crypto and an external exchange is the single most important thing to understand. Here is how they compare:

PostFinance Crypto (In-App)

• Trading Spread: Around 1.8% or higher per trade. This is included in the quoted price, so you do not see a separate fee line, but it is there. On a CHF 5,000 Bitcoin purchase, that is roughly CHF 90 in spread cost.
• Portfolio Fees: PostFinance charges an annual crypto portfolio custody fee that ranges between 0.15% - 0.05%. The exact rate depends on your holdings but it adds to the total cost of ownership.
• Staking (Ethereum): Available since January 2025. ETH is locked for 12 weeks. Staking rewards are credited to your crypto portfolio. PostFinance takes a commission of 20% on staking rewards.
• No Deposit/Withdrawal Fees: Since you buy directly from your PostFinance account, there are no separate deposit charges.

External Exchange (Kraken)

• CHF Deposit: Free via SIC or SEPA bank transfer from PostFinance.
• Trading Fees: 0.16% maker/0.26% taker on Kraken Pro. That is roughly 10x cheaper than PostFinance's spread on each trade.
• Withdrawal to PostFinance: CHF withdrawals back to your Swiss bank account are supported, and fees are always 1 CHF.
• No Portfolio Fees: Kraken does not charge custody or portfolio holding fees for spot crypto.

For casual investors buying CHF 50 to 200 per month through a savings plan, PostFinance's convenience may justify the higher cost. For anyone investing larger amounts or trading actively, the fee savings on an external exchange add up very quickly.

PostFinance Cryptocurrency Policy

PostFinance is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as a systemically important bank and holds a banking license under Swiss law. Its crypto service operates within this regulatory framework, with custody and infrastructure provided by Sygnum Bank, which is itself FINMA-regulated.

Key policy points for PostFinance crypto customers:

• Eligibility: You must hold a Swiss ID, Swiss passport, or B/C/C1 residence permit. Partner accounts are not supported for crypto portfolios, only individual accounts.
• Custody: All private keys are held in Switzerland by Sygnum on behalf of PostFinance customers. Assets are held off-balance sheet, meaning they are not part of PostFinance's bankruptcy estate if the bank were to become insolvent.
• No External Wallets (Yet): You currently cannot deposit coins from an external wallet or withdraw coins to one.
• Transfers to Exchanges: PostFinance does not block CHF transfers to regulated crypto exchanges. Standard AML monitoring applies, and larger incoming transfers from exchanges may trigger source-of-funds inquiries.

Best Crypto Exchanges for PostFinance Customers

If you want to go beyond PostFinance's 22-coin selection or trade at lower fees, several exchanges accept CHF deposits from Swiss bank accounts. We prioritize platforms that are either FINMA-registered or MiCA-licensed.

About PostFinance

PostFinance is a subsidiary of Swiss Post and one of Switzerland's largest retail financial institutions. It serves approximately 2.5 million customers, which represents about a third of the Swiss population, and manages over CHF 100 billion in customer assets. 

The bank offers private and savings accounts, debit and credit cards, e-finance (online banking), mortgage brokerage, investment products through e-trading (powered by Swissquote), and since February 2024, direct cryptocurrency trading and custody.

PostFinance is headquartered in Bern and operates a network of branches through Swiss Post offices across the country. It is notable among Swiss banks for its digital-first approach: most services are accessible through e-finance and the PostFinance App.

Final Thoughts

PostFinance occupies a unique position in the Swiss crypto landscape. It is a state-backed, systemically important bank that lets you buy Bitcoin from the same app you use to pay your Serafe bill or check your pension balance.

However, if you are investing larger sums, trading actively, or want access to DeFi tokens, Layer 2 protocols, and hundreds of altcoins, send a CHF transfer from PostFinance to Kraken. It takes one business day, costs nothing, and opens up a much broader market at a fraction of the fee.

Either way, you are operating within one of the clearest and most investor-friendly regulatory frameworks in the world. Switzerland got crypto regulation right, and PostFinance is making the most of it.