Section
Finance
Binance to reopen withdrawals after billion-dollar hack
After the attack, Binance intends to allow withdrawals again. A proof of reserves answers only part of the questions customers face.
Fitch cuts France's outlook to negative in unscheduled move
Fitch did not wait for its next scheduled review to warn about France's debt trajectory. The agency expects higher debt and doubts a lasting budget correction.
Fed holds rates steady – Swiss mortgages follow other rules
An unchanged US policy rate does not guarantee stable Swiss mortgage rates. How SARON, fixed-rate mortgages and the franc react differently to new signals.
CCC warning: what Swiss pension funds must watch in private credit
CCC denotes weak credit quality, private credit a form of financing. Why this distinction matters for Swiss retirement assets.
France's debt: why the interest burden puts Europe under pressure
France pays more for new debt. What has already been decided, which European support would be possible and through which channels Switzerland would be affected.
Circle Shareholder Sues Trump Over Crypto Deals
A newly filed civil complaint puts USD1 and its reserve income at the centre. What the original filing demands – and why transaction volume is not personal profit.
Musk's reported Skydance billion is not yet a change of control
Skydance is now far more than the studio behind «Top Gun». What is known about the reported Musk investment, and which contract details are still missing.
Anthropic before an IPO: what the pledges show so far
Private valuation, draft prospectus and public benefit fund are three very different things. Which documents count in a possible Anthropic IPO.
13th AHV pension: why more per year can mean less per month
The 13th AHV pension can trigger a switch from the survivors' pension to the old-age pension. An official example shows that the annual gain can be small even though the monthly amount falls noticeably.
Oil price retreats: why bond prices and yields diverge
Oil prices and bonds react to new expectations. Which terms market reports must keep apart, and what else counts for investors in Switzerland.
Revolut reports normal operations – the outage shows the cloud risk
Revolut is working again according to its Swiss status page. What is known about the cloud outage and what customers should watch for with pending payments.
Oil above $110: why Swiss pumps don't follow one-to-one
The oil price reacts to supply risks. Why a new high in crude oil does not reach Swiss filling stations immediately or in full.
ISIL and Al-Qaida sanctions: why the amendment note counts
SECO has amended the ordinance on ISIL and Al-Qaida. What counts is the binding version and its entry into force – not the mere notice in the newsfeed.
FATCA group requests: what the publication means for those affected
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (ESTV) has published new notices on FATCA group requests. What matters is not the entry alone but what it reveals about notification, legal remedies and future data exchange.
Zurich's AAA Outlook: Why a Rating Is Not a Bill
According to a report, S&P has set the outlook for the City of Zurich's AAA rating to negative. What that means, what remains open – and why the grade is not the same as an interest rate increase.
13th AHV pension: What the planned VAT covers – and what remains open
The 13th AHV pension arrives in December 2026. The planned VAT increase covers only part of the extra costs – and still has to pass a vote.
Pillar 3a 2027: Higher deductions are more than a tax detail
In 2027 the 3a limits rise. For households, though, it is not only the deduction that counts, but the budget, the employment situation and long-term retirement provision.
SNB interest rates and exchange rates: What the monthly data say
The SNB policy rate, SARON, Confederation bonds and exchange rates respond to different markets. The monthly data of 1 October 2026 put them in context, without pointing to a direction for prices.
SNB profit distribution: predictability without a payout promise
The FDF and the SNB have renewed the rules for distributions from 2026 to 2030. The framework creates clarity for the Confederation and the cantons – but it does not guarantee a payment.
SNB and new forms of money: why infrastructure comes first
Digital forms of central bank money are not just about apps. For the SNB, the focus is on payment infrastructure, stability and the role of banks.
SNB raises growth outlook, yet industry stays under pressure
The SNB expects growth of 1.5 to 2 percent in 2026. The new confidence does not change the fact that industry and the labour market are sending different signals.
SNB regional contacts: why the Swiss economy shows no single picture
The SNB's latest talks with companies show a Switzerland in which sectors and regions react differently to prices, demand and the exchange rate.
Salary cap for health insurers: what the reform actually changes
A pay ceiling at health insurers could sharpen the rules of basic insurance. A quick brake on premiums would not follow automatically.
Premiums to rise 5 percent in 2027: what the average hides
Premiums will rise by 5 percent on average in 2027. Why that is only the start of the calculation for your personal bill.
Gold Falls Despite Crisis Appeal: How the Dollar and the Fed Drive It
Gold loses more than two percent in a week. How the Fed, the dollar and yields move the price — and why Swiss investors must also watch the franc.
Cartel allegation against FINMA: who sets hospital add-on prices
A joint industry model is meant to make hospital bills easier to understand. The dispute turns on whether FINMA thereby only protects the insured or indirectly intervenes too heavily in private tariffs.
Health insurance premiums 2027: What is known before the announcement
The median premium has risen by just over 25 percent since 2022. What is already settled before the official 2027 premium round – and how insured people should compare afterwards.
Household costs autumn 2026: what costs more, where relief comes
In autumn, some bills rise because of consumption, others because of tariffs. What electricity, heating, rents, fuel and premiums mean for Swiss households.
Bracket Creep 2027: What the Automatic Adjustment Does
The new circular sets out the inflation adjustment for direct federal tax in 2027. What matters is how income, deductions and personal circumstances interact.
VAT 2024: why two official figures diverge
Why does the new 2024 VAT statistic show more than the state accounts? Year-end cut-off explains the difference – and the sector data do not reveal the burden on households.
Promoting home ownership: why more purchase aid can raise prices
The ownership rate is falling, and young families without an inheritance struggle. But blanket support does not solve the underlying problem of scarce housing.
Retirement planning from 50: what can still be corrected
At 50, much of a working life is already written – but the financial starting point for retirement is not yet fixed. AHV gaps, the pension fund, pillar 3a, the mortgage and the desired retirement date now need a first joint calculation.
€3.3 billion for Kyiv: How the EU loan works
The EU is paying €3.3 billion for Ukraine's defence. What was already agreed, who carries the loan risk, and what the payment does not yet prove.
Helvetia Baloise expects up to 140 million francs in hail damage
Helvetia Baloise expects hail damage of 120 to 140 million francs after reinsurance. What the figure means – and why cars shape the industry's balance.
Revolut data breach: When the wrong agency comes asking
Revolut handed over data in response to fake government requests. What is documented about the incident, why the trick is well known and which questions remain for Swiss customers.
Hormuz and Saudi Pipeline Under Pressure: Oil Shock Cost for Switzerland
The Strait of Hormuz is nearly blocked, and Saudi Arabia's main bypass route is temporarily out of action. For Switzerland, this presents an inflation risk, tempered by several factors.
Army Fund: Debts Planned, Revenues Undecided
24 billion for the army, up to 12 billion in credit – and revenues partly dependent on future federal surpluses. The autumn session begins with an open question of priorities.
Bitcoin Suisse Reduces Staff: Crypto Hub Loses More Than Jobs
Bitcoin Suisse plans to cut up to half of its Swiss workforce. It is crucial whether development and regulatory expertise also leave with these positions.
When the State Co-Determines Prices
Health, electricity, public transport, or rents: A portion of Swiss household expenditures is not determined by the free market. A new federal report shows why blanket deregulation is not a simple savings formula.
Swiss Mandatory Costs Rise – Primarily Due to Premiums
Wage deductions remained almost stable over five years. Health insurance premiums, however, increased more than three times as much as the general price level.
Pillar 3a: Catch-up Payments Possible for First Time in 2026
Missed contributions to tied private pension provisions can now be made up. This new flexibility is attractive but does not allow for arbitrary retroactive payments. The first catch-up opportunity is for the 2025 contribution year.
FINMA Defends Small Bank Supervision with Concrete Figures
FINMA has been criticized for the regulatory burden on small banks. FINMA Director Stefan Walter now presents specific data. A small bank receives an on-site inspection only every eight to ten years on average, whereas UBS undergoes over 40 annual inspections. Walter argues this shows supervision does not disproportionately target smaller institutions. He clarifies that proportionality does not imply less supervision at all costs.
Vontobel Moves to Baar – Zurich Loses Traditional Headquarters
After over a century in Zurich, Vontobel opens a new chapter. The asset manager plans to move its headquarters to Baar in Canton Zug by 2030. A new campus for over 1500 employees will be built there. Zurich thus loses a traditional financial industry name, but the city will not be entirely abandoned.
Swiss Pension Funds: State of the Second Pillar
Swiss pension funds managed over 1.2 trillion Swiss francs by the end of 2024. Assets have seen significant growth, and their financial position has improved. New data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reveals significant changes within the second pillar system.
Fed Tightens Stance: Warsh's Policy Implications for Switzerland
Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signals a tougher stance against inflation. This strengthens the dollar and could also affect Switzerland: exporters benefit, while imports become more expensive.
NVIDIA Exceeds Expectations: AI Boom Boosts Figures
NVIDIA surpassed expectations. Revenue and profit increased, and the stock turned positive. A signal for the AI sector – and for Swiss investors.
Shein: Valuation Drops Before IPO
Shein plans an IPO in Hong Kong, but the fashion retailer's valuation has significantly dropped. This raises questions about remaining risks for investors.
Terravis Expands Digital Debt Enforcement for Offices
The Terravis platform now offers services for debt enforcement and bankruptcy offices. Digitalization aims to accelerate and unify legal procedures, promising faster processing and reduced paperwork across cantons.