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Hong Kong's drive to become a leading crypto center accelerates as AMINA secures institutional approval

Hong Kong's drive to become a leading crypto center accelerates as AMINA secures institutional approval

Bitget-RWA2025/11/18 09:12
By:Bitget-RWA

- AMINA Bank AG, a Swiss crypto-focused bank, became the first international institution to secure a Hong Kong SFC license for institutional-grade crypto trading and custody services. - The license enables trading in 13 major cryptocurrencies and complies with SFC standards through SOC 1/2 Type 2-certified security frameworks, addressing prior market gaps in regulated offerings. - Hong Kong's crypto market saw 233% trading volume growth in H1 2025, with AMINA planning to expand into tokenized assets and st

AMINA Bank AG, a Swiss financial institution specializing in cryptocurrencies, has become the first global banking group to

to provide institutional-level crypto trading and custody solutions. This authorization, issued by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) through a "Type 1 license uplift," permits the bank to serve professional investors such as institutions, corporations, and high-net-worth clients . This development represents a major step forward in Hong Kong's initiative to for regulated digital asset services.

With this license, AMINA’s Hong Kong branch can now

for 13 digital currencies, including (BTC), (ETH), , (USDT), as well as prominent DeFi tokens. The bank , utilizing a multi-layered security system certified under SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 standards. Michael Benz, who leads AMINA in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, mentioned that the license , as institutional clients previously had limited access to compliant crypto services due to Hong Kong’s strict regulatory landscape.

The digital asset sector in Hong Kong has expanded rapidly, with AMINA noting

on local platforms in the first half of 2025 compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
Hong Kong's drive to become a leading crypto center accelerates as AMINA secures institutional approval image 0
The bank intends to draw on the expertise of its Swiss FINMA-regulated parent company to branch into private fund management, structured financial products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets, in response to growing institutional interest. Benz professional investors access to a wider array of crypto products, all while upholding the same regulatory standards as conventional financial offerings.

This regulatory approval comes as Hong Kong continues to enhance its oversight of the crypto industry. In August 2025, the city

, leading major banks such as HSBC and ICBC to explore licensing opportunities. The SFC also in October, moving ahead of similar initiatives in the US. While authorities have tightened requirements for self-custody to address cybersecurity threats, they have also .

AMINA’s entry into Hong Kong’s institutional crypto space reflects a broader international trend. The Securities and Futures Commission has been

, providing a regulated environment compared to less transparent markets. Local firms such as Tiger Brokers and HashKey are already active, but AMINA’s licensing for overseas institutions seeking to participate in Asia’s expanding digital asset market.

This move also supports Hong Kong’s broader strategy to connect with global liquidity networks. SFC CEO Julia Leung recently

to link with international order books, ending the city’s previously isolated trading system. These changes are designed to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a regional crypto center while ensuring robust investor safeguards.

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Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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