Switzerland-based AMINA Bank AG has secured regulatory approval from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to offer crypto trading and custody services to institutional clients.
The authorization known as a “Type 1 license uplift” makes AMINA the first international banking group to receive this level of approval in Hong Kong’s tightly regulated digital asset market.
Bank to Offer 13 Cryptocurrencies, Including BTC, ETH, USDC & USDT
Through its local subsidiary AMINA HK, the bank will provide trading and custody for 13 digital assets, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- USD Coin (USDC)
- Tether (USDT)
The services will be available exclusively to professional investors and family offices, a segment the bank says has lacked access to institutional-grade crypto products with local onboarding.
Hong Kong’s Regulatory Landscape Attracts Global Institutions
AMINA described Hong Kong as one of Asia’s most sophisticated and forward-looking crypto jurisdictions, known for its strict supervision but growing support for regulated digital asset adoption.
Michael Benz, Head of AMINA Hong Kong and APAC, said:
“This license uplift positions AMINA to serve accelerating demand from professional investors seeking trusted access to crypto.”
While institutional access continues to expand, Hong Kong still restricts retail traders to a limited list of large-cap tokens listed across two recognized indices.
Despite these constraints, Hong Kong remains a strategic hub for global finance. AMINA recently reported a 233% surge in trading volume across Hong Kong exchanges during the first half of 2025 clear evidence of rising institutional participation.
Strict Requirements for the Type 1 License Uplift
To obtain the license, firms must demonstrate:
- Adequate capital reserves
- Strong risk management systems
- Qualified Responsible Officers to oversee operations
This regulatory benchmark ensures that only compliant and well-capitalized firms can offer digital asset services to institutions in Hong Kong.
Benz added that the approval will allow AMINA to expand its institutional suite:
“This milestone enables us to expand our crypto product shelf including private fund management, structured products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets delivered through the regulated framework our investor community demands.”
AMINA’s Global Expansion Continues
The Hong Kong approval follows a busy year for AMINA as it scales its international presence:
Europe
- Secured a MiCA license under the EU’s new crypto framework
- Austrian subsidiary AMINA (Austria) AG authorized to offer trading, custody, and portfolio management across the European Economic Area
Product Enhancements
- Added support for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin
- Launched staking for Polygon’s POL token
- Removed custody fees for USDC reward accounts
These moves reflect AMINA’s ongoing effort to broaden its institutional offerings and position itself as a global leader in regulated digital asset banking.
