Amina Bank has become the first international banking group to receive regulatory approval for comprehensive crypto trading and institutional-grade custody services in Hong Kong.
The achievement follows a Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) Type 1 license uplift. This enables the bank’s Hong Kong subsidiary to offer 24/7 digital asset trading. It also safeguards professional investors within the city’s robust regulatory framework.
Amina Bank Achieves Regulatory Milestone
As per a Tuesday official announcement, Amina Bank’s expanded license permits full crypto spot trading and custody services. These include deposits and withdrawals using whitelisted addresses, all compliant with the SFC’s standards.
Institutions, corporates, family offices, and high-net-worth clients can now access a portfolio of 13 leading cryptocurrencies. They include Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, and USDT, as well as major DeFi assets. The bank leverages Swiss operational rigor and Hong Kong’s regulatory clarity to deliver these services through a blend of web platforms, mobile applications, and relationship managers.
This move fills a market gap for institutional investors in Hong Kong. These investors previously lacked access to international bank-grade crypto services with local onboarding. Michael Benz, Head of Amina for APAC, emphasized that Hong Kong has established itself as the region’s most developed ecosystem for regulated digital asset adoption. This is due to the city’s clear standards and growing demand for trusted crypto access among global investors.
Product Expansion Plans
Amina Bank’s Hong Kong operation reported a 233% increase in trading volume on local crypto exchanges in the first half of 2025. This illustrates robust institutional interest.
The bank now plans to further expand its product suite with upcoming offerings. The offerings may include private fund management, structured crypto products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets, all under a regulated framework.
Hong Kong’s regulatory framework, which requires stablecoin issuers to maintain full fiat backing and mandates licenses for digital asset platforms, has helped attract major global players. Amina’s approval signals the city’s transition into a global hub for regulated digital asset services. This complements the presence of firms such as HashKey, Tiger Brokers, and HSBC, which have rolled out their own blockchain-powered trading offerings.
READ MORE: BNB Price Drops Below $910 as Traders Watch $880 Level
