BancaStato, the cantonal bank of Ticino in southern Switzerland, has launched regulated crypto trading, enabling clients to buy, hold, and sell bitcoin directly from the bank’s web and mobile apps. The service integrates Sygnum’s API into BancaStato’s Avaloq core banking system, allowing customers to execute market orders by quantity or U.S. dollar value without leaving their existing e-banking interface.
The integration marks the first deployment of this kind on Avaloq’s software-as-service environment. “BancaStato, becoming the first bank on Avaloq’s SaaS environment to enable clients to buy, hold and sell crypto via API with Sygnum directly from within its e-banking platforms, marks a significant step in the maturity and scalability of regulated digital asset infrastructure,” said Fritz Jost, Chief B2B Officer at Sygnum.
Client assets are held in Sygnum’s custody, not on BancaStato’s balance sheet. Holdings sit in institutional-grade, multi-layer custody with hardware and software controls, governance processes, and independent external audits. The off-balance-sheet structure shields client assets if BancaStato enters bankruptcy.
Sygnum holds a Swiss banking license and, as of June 30, 2026, a Crypto-Asset Service Provider license granted by Liechtenstein’s Financial Market Authority under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. The digital asset bank operates a B2B platform serving 25 other banks and financial institutions alongside BancaStato. That partnership network means one-third of the Swiss population now has access to digital assets through Sygnum partner banks.
BancaStato, founded in 1915, runs its core banking and digital channels through Avaloq’s SaaS model. “Our seamless integration of traditional assets, investment solutions, and now digital assets, further enhances our group’s future-ready offering,” said Curzio De Gottardi, Head of Products and Services and Vice-Chairman of BancaStato’s Executive Board.
Bitcoin is the centerpiece of the offering at launch, though clients can trade other crypto assets as well. The move follows similar expansions by other Swiss banks. Zürcher Kantonalbank, Switzerland’s fourth-largest bank, rolled out bitcoin trading and custody. St. Galler Kantonalbank opened bitcoin buying and custody to retail clients. UBS has weighed bitcoin trading for select wealth clients.
Sygnum has also structured institutional credit products around digital assets. The bank arranged a $50 million bitcoin-backed syndicated loan for Ledn and partnered with Relai in a bitcoin-backed loan program.
