AMINA (Hong Kong) Limited, a subsidiary of Swiss FINMA-regulated AMINA Crypto Bank AG, has achieved a pivotal milestone: SFC approval for its Type 1 license uplift, becoming the first foreign banking group authorized to offer institutional crypto spot trading and bank-grade custody in Hong Kong. This expansion brings locally regulated access for institutions, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals eager for compliant, professional-grade crypto services.
Hong Kong’s regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly, with stablecoin rules and strict custody standards implemented in August 2025. The SFC mandates rigorous oversight and world-class compliance for licensed operators, ensuring institutional confidence amidst surging demand.
Institutional Crypto Adoption Surges
- AMINA HK’s license allows direct access to 13 major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), USDC and Tether (USDT), bringing Swiss banking rigor into Asia’s most crypto-forward jurisdiction.
- Institutional trading volumes in Hong Kong grew 233% in the first half of the year, driven by strategic regulatory updates and rising investor appetite for regulated products.
- Hong Kong’s market is transitioning beyond retail and speculation, with institutions demanding legally compliant, bank-grade services such as structured products, derivatives, and tokenized assets.
Key Service Features & Market Impact
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24/7 crypto spot trading and withdrawals for professional investors, family offices, and institutional clients through a compliant onboarding process.
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Comprehensive asset safeguarding: AMINA’s Swiss operational infrastructure is seamlessly integrated into Hong Kong’s legislative framework, creating trusted custody solutions for digital assets.
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Expansion into advanced products: AMINA aims to extend offerings to private fund management, structured products, and tokenized real-world assets—all through the regulated framework demanded by sophisticated investors.
Hong Kong as a Leading Digital Asset Hub
Regulatory innovation is at the heart of Hong Kong’s vision. The SFC and HKMA continue to refine frameworks, recently enabling licensed crypto exchanges to tap global liquidity and diversify their product suites, deepening the city’s competitive edge against other global crypto capitals like Singapore.
Recent measures include:
- Enhanced stablecoin regulation from August 2025, setting new benchmarks for fiat-backed digital asset compliance.
- Permission for SFC-licensed exchanges to list tokenized securities and stablecoins with flexible requirements, further expanding the institutional product shelf.
Hong Kong’s proactive stance has led to multiple new licenses granted for digital asset firms, attracting capital and expertise from the world’s leading crypto and finance leaders.
Competitive Global Context
As the U.S. and Singapore refine their own crypto rulebooks, Hong Kong’s bold licensing approach allows foreign banks to integrate and offer full-service crypto platforms, marking a shift in global institutional capital flows. The move is expected to catalyze further investments, with private equity firms and investment funds eager to leverage Hong Kong’s liquidity and compliance advantages.
