Hong Kong's Crypto Hub Push Gains Institutional Momentum with AMINA License

AMINA Bank AG, a Swiss crypto-focused financial institution, has become the first international banking group to secure a regulatory license in Hong Kong to offer institutional-grade crypto trading and custodial services. The approval, granted by the city's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) via a "Type 1 license uplift," allows the bank to serve professional investors, including institutions, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals according to the SFC. This marks a significant milestone in Hong Kong's efforts to position itself as a global hub for regulated digital-asset services.

The license enables AMINA's Hong Kong subsidiary to offer trading and custody for 13 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USDC, Tether (USDT), and major decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens. The bank emphasized that its services meet SFC standards, featuring multi-layered security infrastructure certified under SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 frameworks. Michael Benz, AMINA's head for Hong Kong and APAC, stated the license addresses a critical gap in the market, where institutional clients previously faced limited access to compliant crypto services under Hong Kong's stringent regulatory environment.

Hong Kong's crypto market has seen rapid growth, with AMINA reporting a 233% surge in trading volumes on local exchanges during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The bank plans to leverage its Swiss FINMA-regulated parent company's expertise to expand into private fund management, structured products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets, aligning with emerging institutional demand. Benz highlighted that these offerings will provide professional investors with a broader range of crypto products while maintaining the same regulatory rigor as traditional financial instruments.

The approval comes as Hong Kong continues to refine its crypto regulatory framework. In August 2025, the city introduced long-awaited stablecoin rules, prompting major banks like HSBC and ICBC to consider licensing. The SFC also approved Hong Kong's first Solana ETF in October, outpacing similar moves in the United States. While regulators have tightened self-custody requirements to mitigate cybersecurity risks, they have signaled openness to fostering responsible innovation.

AMINA's entry into Hong Kong's institutional crypto market follows broader global trends. The city's Securities and Futures Commission has been actively courting international crypto firms, offering a regulated alternative to markets with less clarity. Local players like Tiger Brokers and HashKey already serve the market, but AMINA's license underscores the city's appeal to foreign institutions seeking to tap into Asia's growing digital-asset ecosystem.

The move also aligns with Hong Kong's strategic push to integrate with global liquidity pools. SFC Chief Executive Julia Leung recently announced plans to allow licensed exchanges to connect with international order books, ending the city's isolated trading model. These reforms aim to strengthen Hong Kong's role as a regional crypto hub while maintaining strict investor protections.