Key Highlights
- AMINA (Hong Kong) is the first international bank to receive an SFC Type 1 license uplift to offer comprehensive crypto services.
- Investors can access 24/7 trading, deposits, and withdrawals for 13 cryptocurrencies.
- Custody services meet SFC standards with multi-layered security and SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 certification.
AMINA (Hong Kong), a subsidiary of Swiss-regulated AMINA Bank, is the first international bank in Hong Kong to offer crypto trading and custody services for professional investors.
According to the announcement, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) Type 1 license uplift is meant to address a gap in Hong Kong’s institutional crypto market. The news comes as crypto trading in Hong Kong jumped 233% in the first half of 2025, compared to the previous year, indicating escalating institutional interest.
Even though the city has rules for digital assets, professional investors, family offices, and corporations have had limited access to international, bank-level crypto services locally. With this new license, these investors can now trade and manage digital currencies in a regulated and secure way.
AMINA services offered
AMINA HK now provides 24/7 crypto spot trading, asset safeguarding, and crypto deposits or withdrawals to approved wallets. The initial offering includes 13 cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, USDT, and major DeFi tokens. The services will be accessible via Mobile Apps, Web Portals, or customized relationship management channels.
The bank’s custody services align with SFC standards and include multi-layered security protocols, as well as SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 certified infrastructure. Michael Benz, Head of AMINA Hong Kong and APAC, said the license upgrade positions the bank to meet growing demand from professional investors seeking regulated and reliable access to digital assets.
The framework also enables future development into fund management, structured products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets.
AMINA’s global strategy
AMINA’s move into Hong Kong fits with the city’s strategic plan to become a global hub for institutional crypto finance, backed by new regulations for stablecoins and enhanced licensing for custodians and dealers.
The parent company, AMINA Bank AG, has previously demonstrated its commitment to regulated crypto finance by becoming the first bank to offer institutional staking for Polygon’s POL token in October 2025. This allows asset managers, family offices, and corporate investors to help secure the network while earning annual yields of 15%, all under Swiss regulatory rules.
Previously, in July 2025, AMINA Bank became the first bank to offer custody and trading for Ripple USD (RLUSD), allowing institutional clients regulated access to the stablecoin.
AMINA’s move into Hong Kong fits with the city’s plan to become a global hub for institutional crypto finance, backed by new regulations for stablecoins, licensing for custodians and dealers, and upcoming changes that will connect local exchanges to global crypto markets.
Also Read: Hong Kong Launches EnsembleTX Pilot for Tokenized Transactions
