The FINMA Notice:

Sanctions: Belarus

The Federal Council has on 18. In September 2026, further sanctions against Belarus were decided. He thus joins the measures that the European Union (EU) on 23. April 2026 to Belarus. The innovations will take effect on 19. September 2026 in force.

Due to the continued support that Belarus is giving Russia in its war against Ukraine, the Federal Council on 18. September 2026 issued further sanctions against Belarus. Already on the 22nd In May 2026, the Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF) had sanctioned two companies by Switzerland, which was within its competence. Per 19. On September 23, 2026, the Federal Council will take over the remaining measures adopted by the EU on 23 September 2026. April 2026 was adopted. The measures further align the sanctions regime for Belarus with the sanctions regime for Russia.

In the financial sector, analogous to the sanctions against Russia, a transaction ban with certain crypto assets and digital central bank currencies, including the digital Belarus ruble, applies from now on. Furthermore, the Federal Council prohibits transactions with providers of crypto services and decentralized platforms based in Belarus.

In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation, financial intermediaries are required to implement the prohibitions, to block the assets of the sanctioned persons and to report the business relationships concerned to SECO. The report to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary from making additional clarifications in the event of suspicion in accordance with Art. 6 GwG and, if he cannot clear them, to report it immediately to the notification office for money laundering in accordance with Art. 9 GwG.