AMINA's License Propels Hong Kong as Global Crypto Hub

AMINA Bank AG, a Swiss-regulated financial institution specializing in crypto banking, has become the first international bank to secure a Type 1 license from Hong Kong's SFC, enabling it to offer institutional-grade crypto trading and custody services to professional investors in the region. The license, granted to AMINA (Hong Kong) Limited, marks a regulatory milestone for the bank and positions it as a key player in Hong Kong's digital asset market.

The SFC-approved services include 24/7 crypto spot trading for 13 cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, and Tether, alongside asset custody solutions that meet stringent regulatory standards. AMINA's offering addresses a critical gap in Hong Kong's institutional crypto landscape, where access to international, bank-grade services had been limited. The bank's custody infrastructure features multi-layered security protocols and SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications, ensuring compliance with SFC requirements according to reports.

Hong Kong's crypto trading volumes surged 233% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reflecting growing institutional demand. AMINA's entry aligns with the city's broader ambition to establish itself as a global digital asset hub. Recent regulatory developments, including stablecoin rules and the approval of Asia's first Solana ETF, underscore Hong Kong's efforts to attract global crypto firms. The bank's services, accessible via mobile apps, web portals, and personalized relationship management, aim to simplify operational workflows for clients such as family offices, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals.

Michael Benz, AMINA's Hong Kong and APAC head, emphasized the strategic importance of the license, stating it enables the bank to expand its product offerings into private fund management, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets. AMINA's global strategy includes leveraging its existing licenses in Switzerland, Abu Dhabi, and Austria to provide a unified, regulated framework for institutional clients according to analysis. The bank previously pioneered institutional staking services for Polygon's POL token and custody solutions for Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin, reinforcing its focus on innovation within compliance as noted in reports.

The approval comes amid heightened competition in Hong Kong's crypto sector, with local players like Tiger Brokers and HashKey already serving institutional clients. However, AMINA's status as the first foreign bank to achieve this regulatory uplift differentiates it in the market. The bank's expansion plans also include integrating with Hong Kong's evolving financial infrastructure to further solidify its role in the region's digital asset ecosystem.