Bity promo & referral 2026 — Swiss FINMA-regulated broker
Bity is a Swiss FINMA-supervised crypto broker headquartered in Neuchâtel and operating one of Europe's largest Bitcoin ATM networks. The 2026 product offers SIC instant Swiss bank purchases, no-account-required orders up to CHF 1,000, a transparent 1.2% buy fee, and self-custody withdrawals on every order — sent directly to your own wallet by default.
Bity — Switzerland's self-custody-first broker
Bity has been operating since 2014 and is one of the most distinctive crypto businesses in Europe. The company is registered with Switzerland's FINMA-recognised self-regulatory organisation VQF, which under Swiss financial-market law gives it equivalent AML/KYC obligations to a fully FINMA-supervised intermediary. What makes Bity unusual among regulated brokers is its self-custody-first philosophy: when you buy Bitcoin (or any of the supported assets), Bity sends it directly to a wallet address you provide. There is no "Bity wallet" holding your coins by default. This eliminates an entire category of counterparty risk that exists at every custodial exchange.
Activation flow
Visit go.bity.com or use a Bity Bitcoin ATM. For orders up to CHF 1,000 per transaction, you can buy with email-only signup and SEPA/SIC bank transfer or cash at an ATM — full passport KYC is not required at this tier. Above CHF 1,000, full Swiss-grade KYC kicks in. Provide a wallet address (your own — Bity does not hold for you), send the Swiss franc or EUR via SIC or SEPA, and your crypto arrives on-chain at your wallet, typically within 30–60 minutes for SEPA Instant transfers.
Why Swiss FINMA / VQF supervision matters
Switzerland's financial-market regulator FINMA recognises a small number of self-regulatory organisations (SROs) — including VQF — that supervise non-bank financial intermediaries against AML, KYC and conduct rules equivalent to direct FINMA supervision. Bity's VQF membership puts it on a regulatory footing comparable to a registered Swiss financial intermediary. Combined with the self-custody-first model, this gives Swiss residents one of the cleanest sovereign-risk profiles in European retail crypto.
Pros and cons
✅ Strengths
- Swiss FINMA / VQF SRO supervision — banking-grade compliance.
- Self-custody by default — crypto sent direct to your wallet.
- No-account-required orders up to CHF 1,000 per transaction.
- 60+ Bitcoin ATMs across Swiss cities for cash purchases.
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Only 6–8 supported assets — Bitcoin-focused, narrow altcoin coverage.
- 1.2% fee is fixed (not a maker/taker order book) — wider than pro venues.
- Swiss + EEA only — no UK, US, AU coverage.
- No trading interface for active traders — broker-only product.
Bity vs Mt Pelerin vs Relai
| Metric | Bity | Mt Pelerin | Relai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome / discount | No-account CHF 1,000 | No-KYC up to CHF 1,000 | Referral code discount |
| Buy fee | 1.2% | 0.5% on Bridge product | 1–2.5% sliding DCA fee |
| Assets | BTC + 5–7 majors | 50+ tokens | Bitcoin-only |
| Regulator | FINMA (CH) via VQF | Swiss securities licence | FINMA (CH) via VQF |
| Best for | Swiss + EEA self-custody buyers | Swiss multi-asset including tokenised securities | Bitcoin-only DCA from EU bank |
Editor's personal take
If you live in Switzerland or the EEA and you want a regulated, KYC-anchored, self-custody-first way to buy Bitcoin without ever holding coins on someone else's balance sheet, Bity is genuinely best-in-class. The product is narrow on purpose — a small list of assets, a flat 1.2% fee, no in-app trading interface — and that narrowness is the point. It's a buy-and-withdraw rail, not a venue. Active traders should pair Bity (for buy-the-dip into cold storage) with a maker/taker venue like CEX.IO or Kraken Pro for the rebalancing and active position management side.
FAQ
Is Bity regulated by FINMA?
Bity SA is supervised by VQF, a FINMA-recognised self-regulatory organisation under the Swiss Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA). This is the standard supervisory framework for non-bank financial intermediaries in Switzerland.
Why does Bity not hold my crypto for me?
By design. Bity's self-custody-first model is intended to eliminate exchange-style counterparty risk. Your coins land directly at your own wallet address after each purchase.
Is the no-account-required mode legal?
Yes, under Swiss AML rules transactions below CHF 1,000 per occasion can be processed with reduced KYC (email + bank transfer source). Above CHF 1,000, full identification is required.