AMINA Bank Becomes First International Bank to Get Hong Kong Crypto License

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) granted AMINA a “Type 1 license uplift,” allowing the bank to serve institutional clients in one of Asia’s most tightly regulated financial markets.

This milestone comes as Hong Kong crypto trading volumes surged 233% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The dramatic growth shows both retail and institutional investors are embracing digital assets despite strict regulatory requirements.

Breaking Down Regulatory Barriers

Hong Kong has long been known for its strict financial regulations, especially around cryptocurrency services. Professional investors and family offices have struggled to find international banks willing to provide crypto services that meet the city’s high compliance standards.

AMINA’s license approval addresses this gap directly. The bank can now offer 13 different cryptocurrencies to professional investors, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, and Tether. The service also covers major decentralized finance tokens, giving institutional clients access to a broader crypto ecosystem.

Michael Benz, head of AMINA for Hong Kong, explained that the license opens doors to expanded services. The bank plans to offer private fund management, structured products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets. All services will operate under Hong Kong’s strict regulatory framework.

Source: @AMINABankGlobal

The Type 1 license allows AMINA’s Hong Kong subsidiary to provide 24/7 crypto spot trading, secure asset storage, and direct crypto deposits and withdrawals to approved addresses. These services meet the Securities and Futures Commission’s regulatory standards while serving professional investors, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals.

Global Expansion Strategy

AMINA Bank has been building its international presence across multiple regulated markets. Founded in Zug, Switzerland in 2018, the bank received its Swiss banking license from the Financial Market Supervisory Authority in 2019.

The company expanded to the Middle East in February 2022 when its Abu Dhabi Global Markets branch received Financial Services Permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority to advise on investments, arrange deals, and provide custody services for professional clients. AMINA first entered Hong Kong in November 2023 with Type 1 (Dealing in Securities), Type 4 (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 (Asset Management) licenses.

Just weeks before the Hong Kong announcement, AMINA secured another major regulatory win. In October 2025, the bank’s Austrian subsidiary received a Crypto-Asset Service Provider license under Europe’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. This makes AMINA the first crypto banking group to receive authorization under the new EU regulations.

The Austrian license specifically allows AMINA EU to offer regulated crypto trading, custody, portfolio management services, and crypto staking to professional investors including family offices, corporates, and financial institutions.

The European license allows AMINA to serve professional investors across all 27 EU member states. Combined with licenses in Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi, the bank now has one of the most comprehensive global regulatory footprints in crypto banking.

Riding Hong Kong’s Crypto Wave

Hong Kong has been working to position itself as a major crypto hub despite its reputation for strict regulations. The city’s approach focuses on protecting investors while encouraging innovation in digital assets.

Since 2023, all crypto exchanges serving Hong Kong investors must obtain licenses from the Securities and Futures Commission. This requirement has led to a 250% increase in blockchain-related businesses since 2022, according to industry data.

The city recently made several moves to strengthen its crypto credentials. In late October, Hong Kong approved its first Solana exchange-traded fund, beating the United States to market. The Securities and Futures Commission also eased some regulations in November 2025, allowing licensed exchanges to tap into global liquidity from overseas affiliates.

These changes aim to boost trading volumes and provide better pricing for local investors. Hong Kong is competing with Singapore, which issued 13 crypto licenses in 2024 alone. As of December 2024, Hong Kong had fully licensed only seven crypto exchanges, with an additional seven holding provisional permits.

Building Institutional Trust

AMINA’s success in Hong Kong reflects growing institutional demand for regulated crypto services. The bank has built its reputation by combining traditional Swiss banking standards with cutting-edge crypto technology.

In July 2025, AMINA became the first bank worldwide to offer custody and trading support for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin. This partnership demonstrated the bank’s ability to work with major crypto projects while maintaining regulatory compliance.

The bank’s approach appeals to institutional investors who want crypto exposure without sacrificing security or regulatory protection. By operating under multiple international licenses, AMINA can serve clients who need to meet strict compliance requirements.

Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA Bank, emphasized the company’s commitment to regulatory standards. He noted that the Hong Kong license, combined with approvals in Switzerland, Austria, and Abu Dhabi, allows AMINA to offer global services built for scale and security.

The Regulatory Race Heats Up

AMINA joins a competitive landscape that includes local players like HashKey and Tiger Brokers. However, as the first international bank to receive the enhanced Type 1 license for digital asset dealing services, AMINA has a unique position in the market. The license specifically enables AMINA to operate via its Hong Kong-based subsidiary AMINA HK, providing institutional-grade crypto services within Hong Kong’s regulatory framework.

The bank’s timing appears strategic, as Hong Kong continues to develop its stablecoin regulations and expand its digital asset framework. The city launched its official stablecoin licensing system in August 2025 and plans to announce the first licensed issuers in early 2026.

Hong Kong’s regulatory progress has attracted attention from major financial institutions worldwide. The city’s approach balances investor protection with market development, creating opportunities for regulated players like AMINA.

Setting the Stage for Crypto Banking’s Future

AMINA’s Hong Kong license represents more than just regulatory approval—it signals the maturation of institutional crypto services. By successfully navigating multiple international regulatory frameworks, the bank has created a blueprint for other institutions looking to enter regulated crypto markets.

The combination of surging trading volumes, expanding regulations, and growing institutional interest suggests Hong Kong’s crypto market will continue developing rapidly. AMINA’s early entry positions the bank to capitalize on this growth while maintaining the regulatory compliance that institutional investors demand.