- This licence covers 13 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, USDC and Tether.
- AMINA reported a 233% increase in Hong Kong trading volume in early 2025.
- Hong Kong launched new stablecoin rules and approved a Solana ETF this year.
Hong Kong’s push to build a regulated digital asset marketplace is drawing growing interest from global financial institutions. The latest example is Swiss crypto bank AMINA Bank AG receiving approval to expand its services in the city.
The bank was granted an upgraded Type 1 licence by the Securities and Futures Commission, making it the first international bank authorised to offer regulated crypto trading and custody to institutional clients in Hong Kong.
That approval reinforces the city’s position as a regional digital asset hub and highlights rising demand for bank-grade crypto services among professional traders.
AMINA intends to use the licence to provide institutional clients with a regulated on‑ramp to cryptocurrencies as they increasingly seek stronger safeguards and clearer rules.
Hong Kong’s compliance standards have often limited the number of foreign firms that can offer these services, leaving gaps in the market for institutions with robust banking frameworks.
AMINA’s entry aims to fill that gap while offering clients a regulated platform backed by traditional financial infrastructure.
AMINA expands in a fast-growing market
The licence upgrade allows AMINA’s Hong Kong subsidiary to offer trading and custody for 13 cryptocurrencies.
This list includes Bitcoin, Ether, USDC, Tether and several leading decentralized finance tokens widely used across global exchanges.
The approval creates new opportunities for institutional clients seeking a single regulated venue with access to a curated selection of major digital assets.
AMINA also reported a sharp rise in market activity.
The bank recorded a 233% increase in trading volume on Hong Kong crypto exchanges in the first half of 2025.
That surge reflects stronger engagement from both institutional and retail segments as Hong Kong’s regulatory environment evolves.
AMINA expects the new licence to support a broader product set.
The bank plans to expand into private fund management, structured crypto products, derivatives and tokenized real-world assets.
Those additions would position AMINA among firms offering diversified digital asset exposure to institutional clients across multiple asset types.
Local players face new global competition
Although AMINA is the first international bank to receive this upgraded licence, it is entering a competitive market.
Hong Kong already hosts regulated local firms such as Tiger Brokers and HashKey, which serve both institutional and retail clients under existing approvals.
AMINA’s approval signals that the market is opening to more foreign institutions, potentially changing the competitive dynamics for both global and domestic providers.
Hong Kong officials have repeatedly stated that attracting global firms is central to the city’s digital asset strategy.
AMINA’s arrival may encourage other overseas banks and brokerages to consider similar applications as they assess opportunities in Asia’s regulated crypto markets.
Policy changes shaping Hong Kong’s crypto framework
AMINA’s approval comes amid a period of rapid policy development in the city.
In August, Hong Kong introduced new stablecoin regulations that create an official licensing pathway for issuers.
Following that move, major regional banks such as HSBC and ICBC said they were exploring licence applications as part of their digital asset plans.
The city also approved its first Solana exchange-traded fund in late October.
That approval put Hong Kong ahead of the U.S. in allowing a regulated Solana ETF and added another investment product to the growing list of crypto-related options.
In August, Hong Kong tightened rules around self-custody of digital assets.
Those changes focused on strengthening cybersecurity protections and reducing risks associated with individual key management.
Authorities framed the measures as security improvements rather than restrictions on user access.
The combination of new rules and rising institutional interest has created an environment that now attracts more global firms.
AMINA’s regulatory progress adds momentum to Hong Kong’s strategy of balancing rigorous compliance with market expansion.