Sygnum Completes First Live AI-Agent Driven Digital Asset Transactions by a Regulated Swiss Bank

  • First regulated Swiss bank to use AI agents to test live on-chain transactions, with the client signing every action and private keys never leaving their device
  • Architecture is AI-model, and asset-agnostic, with the capability to turn client plain-text messages into multi-step on-chain operations for stablecoins, tokenized equities, gold and securities
  • Validates Sygnum’s “Human-in-the-Loop” strategy, where AI augments and enhances — but does not replace — human decision-making and trusted personal relationships.
  • Developed by AI@Sygnum, the team leading the development of agent-driven workflows across client experience, regulated innovation, organisational efficiency and operational excellence


Zurich, Switzerland, 18 May 2026: Sygnum, a global digital asset banking group, today announced it has become the first Swiss regulated bank to use an AI agent to test live digital asset market transactions, with the client retaining custody, consent and control at every step. This is the latest initiative from AI@Sygnum which leads the development, integration and governance of agent-driven workflows across the group globally.


In a first for Swiss banking, client-issued plain text instructions have been used to execute multi-step live transactions on a blockchain Mainnet. The Sygnum AI agent used these instructions and independently planned and prepared each step, reviewed the relevant smart contracts, and flagged potential transaction risks before presenting each transaction to the client for approval. Transactions are only signed through the client’s self-custodial wallet on their own device, ensuring private keys do not leave client control at any time. Sygnum’s AI agent can be used to execute multi-step on-chain transactions for stablecoin transfers, asset swaps, on-chain lending positions, token wrapping and liquidity provisioning.


The pilot was built using a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server built in-house by the AI@Sygnum team using Anthropic’s Claude as the underlying AI model. MCP is a new open standard enabling AI and financial platforms to share context and data, streamlining transactions while maintaining client control and security safeguards. The MCP-based architecture is model- and asset-class agnostic, allowing the infrastructure to scale as the ecosystem develops.


Thomas Frei, Head of AI and Data Analytics and AI@Sygnum lead at Sygnum Bank, said: “Connecting AI agents to wallets is foundational to where finance is heading. The next decade will see agents transacting, settling and interacting with markets on behalf of clients. The key challenge is doing this in a way that preserves – and even enhances – bank-grade consent, custody and trust. That is what we set out to solve, and what this pilot demonstrates: that a regulated Swiss bank can provide clients with the speed, convenience and accessibility of agent-driven execution, without ever giving up control of their assets.”


Unlike architectures where AI agents with their own wallets transact autonomously, Sygnum’s approach enables clients to own, self-custody and fully control their own wallets and assets at all times. This reflects a core principle of the AI@Sygnum program, where AI augments and enhances, but does not replace, human decision making or trusted personal relationships. This will benefit clients by enabling them to directly execute on-chain actions and access live market infrastructure, compose multi-step workflows without code and use their wallets natively.

This “human-in-the-loop” design is central to Sygnum’s integration of its agentic AI roadmap into all areas of the group’s global operations. The four key pillars of Sygnum’s organisational AI strategy are:

  • Client experience – always‑on AI augments existing personal relationships with our experts
  • Regulated innovation – leveraging AI to deliver smarter, more intuitive products and solutions for clients in a trusted,
  • regulated environment
  • Organisational efficiency – reclaim manual effort to focus effort on high-value work serving our valued clients
  • Operational excellence – continually raise the bar on quality, security, governance, and organisational resilience

Sygnum’s human-led, AI-augmented approach comes at a time when regulators increasingly view the potential for AI agents to act beyond the client’s intended scope as a risk for financial institutions.1 Sygnum’s AI governance on data, risk management, transparency and accountability is designed to fully meet the highest regulatory, bank-grade standards. It also reinforces the values that Sygnum private and institutional clients value most: trust, personal relationships and the vision to shape Future Finance.

Sygnum’s MCP AI agent is not currently available to clients. Production deployment will be subject to full regulatory, compliance and security reviews and approvals. The pilot was conducted under controlled conditions. No Sygnum client CID, wallets or infrastructure were used.

Notes to Editor

  • The pilot transactions interacted with live mainnet smart contracts and market conditions using a sandbox-type approach. The pilot did not use Sygnum client data, wallets, accounts, funds or infrastructure, and used funds held in the individual’s own custody.
  • The global blockchain AI market is projected to grow ~26.8% CAGR from USD 1.13 Bn in 2026 to USD 7.53 Bn in 2034
  • Source : https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/blockchain-ai-artificial-intelligence-market-104588

1 FINRA’s 2026 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report flagged AI agents acting beyond the user’s intended scope as a core risk for financial institutions. The EU AI Act’s obligations for high-risk AI systems take effect on 2 August 2026, imposing strict requirements on transparency, human oversight and accountability for AI deployed in financial services. FINMA published Guidance 08/2024 setting out supervisory expectations for Swiss institutions deploying AI.

Disclaimer: The information in this publication pertaining to Sygnum Bank AG (“Sygnum”) is for general information purposes only, as per date of publication, and should not be considered exhaustive. This publication does not consider the financial situation of any natural or legal person, nor does it provide any tax, legal or investment advice. This publication does not constitute any advice or recommendation, an offer or invitation by or on behalf of Sygnum to purchase or sell any assets. No elements of precontractual or contractual relationship are intended. While the information is believed to be from accurate and reliable sources, Sygnum makes no representation or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the information. Sygnum expressly disclaims any and all liability that may be based on such information, omissions, or errors thereof. Any statements contained in this publication attributed to a third party represent Sygnum‘s interpretation of the data, information and/or opinions provided by that third party either publicly or through a subscription service, and such use and interpretation have not been reviewed by the third party. Sygnum reserves the right to amend or replace the information, in part or entirely, at any time, and without any obligation to notify the recipient of such amendment / replacement or to provide the recipient with access to the information. Simultaneously, there is no obligation of Sygnum to inform recipients of information, if before provided information later becomes outdated, inaccurate or obsolete, unless otherwise provided by applicable law. The information provided is not intended for use by or distributed to any individual or legal entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to the law or regulatory provisions or in which Sygnum does not hold the necessary registration, approval authorisation or license. Except as otherwise provided by Sygnum, it is not allowed to modify, copy, distribute or reproduce, display, license, or otherwise use any content for commercial purposes.

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The information in this publication pertaining to Sygnum Bank AG (“Sygnum”) is for general information purposes only, as per date of publication, and should not be considered exhaustive. This publication does not consider the financial situation of any natural or legal person, nor does it provide any tax, legal or investment advice. This publication does not constitute any advice or recommendation, an offer or invitation by or on behalf of Sygnum to purchase or sell any assets. No elements of precontractual or contractual relationship are intended. While the information is believed to be from accurate and reliable sources, Sygnum makes no representation or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the information. Sygnum expressly disclaims any and all liability that may be based on such information, omissions, or errors thereof. Any statements contained in this publication attributed to a third party represent Sygnum‘s interpretation of the data, information and/or opinions provided by that third party either publicly or through a subscription service, and such use and interpretation have not been reviewed by the third party. Sygnum reserves the right to amend or replace the information, in part or entirely, at any time, and without any obligation to notify the recipient of such amendment / replacement or to provide the recipient with access to the information. Simultaneously, there is no obligation of Sygnum to inform recipients of information, if before provided information later becomes outdated, inaccurate or obsolete, unless otherwise provided by applicable law. The information provided is not intended for use by or distributed to any individual or legal entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution, publication or use would be contrary to the law or regulatory provisions or in which Sygnum does not hold the necessary registration, approval authorization or license. Except as otherwise provided by Sygnum, it is not allowed to modify, copy, distribute or reproduce, display, license, or otherwise use any content for commercial purposes.

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