Swiss Bank AMINA Receives Approval for Institutional Crypto Services in Hong Kong

Swiss crypto bank AMINA Bank AG has officially obtained regulatory approval in Hong Kong to offer cryptocurrency trading and custody services for institutional clients. This milestone makes AMINA the first international bank to gain such authorization in the city.

Key Takeaways:

First International Bank: AMINA is now the first foreign bank approved to provide institutional crypto trading and custody services in Hong Kong.
Surge in Trading Volumes: The approval comes after a dramatic 233% increase in crypto trading volumes in Hong Kong.
Future Expansion: AMINA aims to broaden its services to include funds, derivatives, and tokenized assets.

In a press release on Monday, the bank announced that the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) granted a “Type 1 license uplift.” This license will enable AMINA to cater to a segment of the market that has found it difficult to access compliant, bank-grade cryptocurrency services under Hong Kong's stringent regulations.

With this new license, AMINA's operations in Hong Kong can now facilitate trading and custodial services for 13 different cryptocurrencies. These include Bitcoin, Ether, USDC, Tether, and several prominent decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens.

Swiss Bank AMINA Wins Hong Kong Approval for Institutional Crypto Services

AMINA's Strategical Growth Amidst Hong Kong's Crypto Boom

The approval coincides with significant market growth in the region. AMINA reported a staggering 233% rise in trading volumes on Hong Kong's cryptocurrency exchanges during the first half of 2025 compared to the same timeframe last year.

Michael Benz, head of AMINA in Hong Kong, noted that this license not only marks a key achievement for the firm but also positions it to branch into private fund management, structured products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets.

These sectors are anticipated to see increased institutional demand in Hong Kong, especially as the city continues its initiative to attract global digital-asset businesses.

Hong Kong has been actively seeking to draw in international crypto firms by promoting itself as a regulated alternative to other markets that may lack clarity in their regulations.

While AMINA stands out as the first foreign bank to acquire this enhanced Type 1 permission, it will be joining a market already occupied by local entities such as Tiger Brokers and HashKey.

This approval aligns with a larger regulatory evolution occurring in the region. For instance, in August, Hong Kong revealed its long-awaited stablecoin regulations, leading major banks like HSBC and ICBC to contemplate obtaining licenses.

Additionally, the SFC approved its first Solana Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) in October, ahead of the United States, enhancing the city’s investment portfolio in the cryptocurrency space.

Even though there have been tighter regulations concerning self-custody to mitigate cybersecurity threats, regulators have maintained their commitment to fostering responsible growth within the digital asset sector.

AMINA’s entry is set to provide new momentum to Hong Kong's aspiration to establish itself as a leading hub for institutional crypto finance.

Hong Kong's Initiative for Global Crypto Trading Liquidity

Reports indicate that Hong Kong is preparing for a major revamp of its crypto trading regulations, which will allow licensed exchanges to link with global order books for the first time.

This significant change, announced by SFC Chief Executive Julia Leung during Hong Kong Fintech Week, will dismantle the city’s isolated trading structure, aligning its digital asset regulations with those of traditional financial markets.

This initiative is a crucial part of Hong Kong's strategy to strengthen its position as a regional hub for cryptocurrency.

Since 2022, the city has introduced exchange licensing, sanctioned Bitcoin and Ether-linked investment products, and begun developing a digital asset fund ecosystem.

Despite these advancements, Hong Kong’s trading volumes still lag behind markets like the United States, prompting regulators to refine their strategies while ensuring robust protections for investors.

In conjunction with the new liquidity regulations, Hong Kong is also finalizing licensing frameworks for crypto dealers, custodians, and stablecoin issuers.

Moreover, regulators may permit licensed brokers, not just exchanges, to access global liquidity pools. This change could potentially simplify entry for international platforms like Binance or Coinbase into the Hong Kong market.