Swiss Bank AMINA Secures Regulatory Approval in Hong Kong for Institutional Cryptocurrency Services

Swiss crypto institution AMINA Bank AG has obtained regulatory approval in Hong Kong to provide crypto trading and custody services to institutional clients, marking it as the first international bank to gain such authorization in the region.

Key Takeaways:

• AMINA has become the first foreign bank authorized in Hong Kong to deliver institutional crypto trading and custody services.
• This license follows a remarkable 233% increase in crypto trading volumes in Hong Kong.
• It also enables AMINA to venture into funds, derivatives, and tokenized assets.

In a press release issued on Monday, the bank announced that the Securities and Futures Commission granted a “Type 1 license uplift,” permitting AMINA to cater to a market segment that has faced challenges in accessing compliant, bank-grade crypto services under Hong Kong’s stringent regulatory framework.

With this approval, AMINA’s Hong Kong branch can now facilitate trading and custody for 13 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, USDC, Tether, and several prominent DeFi tokens.

AMINA Aims for Growth as Hong Kong Crypto Trading Rises 233%

This initiative comes in response to significant market expansion in the area: AMINA reported a 233% rise in trading volume on Hong Kong crypto exchanges during the first half of 2025 compared to the same timeframe last year.

Michael Benz, AMINA’s head in Hong Kong, stated that the license positions the firm to broaden its services into private fund management, structured products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets.

These sectors are anticipated to represent the next wave of institutional interest in Hong Kong as the city intensifies its efforts to attract global digital-asset enterprises.

Hong Kong has been actively engaging international crypto companies, promoting itself as a regulated alternative to markets with less transparency.

While AMINA is the first foreign bank to secure the enhanced Type 1 authorization, it joins a landscape already supported by local entities such as Tiger Brokers and HashKey.

Crypto trading and custody – now available at AMINA Hong Kong!
Today, AMINA becomes the first international banking group to launch comprehensive crypto trading and custody services in Hong Kong.
What this means for institutions, corporates, family offices, and UHNWI… pic.twitter.com/74EtwDV9Bs

— AMINA Bank (@AMINABankGlobal) November 18, 2025

The approval is in line with a wider regulatory transformation. In August, Hong Kong implemented long-anticipated stablecoin regulations, leading major banks like HSBC and ICBC to contemplate licensing.

The SFC also approved its inaugural Solana ETF in October, ahead of the United States, as part of its initiative to enhance the city’s crypto investment options.

Despite tightening certain self-custody regulations to mitigate cybersecurity threats, regulators have continued to express a willingness to support responsible digital-asset development.

AMINA’s entry injects new energy into Hong Kong’s ambition to establish itself as a global center for institutional crypto finance.

Hong Kong to Facilitate Crypto Trading with Global Liquidity

As reported, Hong Kong is gearing up for a significant revision of its crypto trading regulations, enabling licensed exchanges to connect with global order books for the first time.

This change, revealed by SFC Chief Executive Julia Leung during Hong Kong Fintech Week, will conclude the city’s isolated trading model and align digital asset regulations with those applied in traditional financial markets.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a regional crypto hub.

Since 2022, the city has introduced exchange licensing, approved investment products linked to Bitcoin and Ether, 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 strict investor protections.

Alongside the new liquidity regulations, Hong Kong is finalizing licensing frameworks for crypto dealers, custodians, and stablecoin issuers.

Regulators may also permit licensed brokers, not just exchanges, to access global liquidity pools, potentially providing easier entry pathways for international platforms such as Binance or Coinbase.

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