AMINA Bank Secures Hong Kong Type 1 License to Expand Regulated Crypto Services

AMINA Bank, a Swiss-regulated digital asset banking group, has strengthened its global presence after securing a Type 1 license upgrade from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). This milestone makes AMINA the first international banking group authorized to offer fully regulated crypto spot trading and custody services in Hong Kong, reinforcing the city’s ambition to become a leading digital asset hub.

AMINA (Hong Kong) Limited, operating under the oversight of Switzerland’s FINMA, can now provide professional investors and family offices with comprehensive crypto trading and institutional-grade custody solutions. This development comes at a crucial time, as Hong Kong’s digital asset market continues to expand rapidly—recording a 233% year-on-year growth in early 2025, driven largely by rising institutional demand for secure and compliant infrastructure.

The license upgrade aligns with Hong Kong’s ongoing regulatory reforms. In 2025 alone, the SFC issued nine new virtual asset trading platform licenses, and the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau implemented a standalone regime for virtual asset custodians. Additionally, new stablecoin reserve management requirements took effect on August 1, 2025, reflecting the territory’s push for stronger governance standards. The SFC’s “A-S-P-I-Re” framework, launched in September 2025, further enhances market integrity by promoting accessibility, security, professionalism, innovation, and resilience across the sector.

For institutional clients, AMINA’s entry into the Hong Kong market fills a long-standing gap in regulated crypto services. The global custody industry surpassed $683 billion in assets by October 2025, and more than 35 licensed fund managers in Hong Kong now offer institutional crypto exposure. Major financial institutions, including HSBC, have introduced blockchain-powered settlement solutions, signaling increasing mainstream adoption.

Founded in 2018, AMINA has steadily expanded its regulatory footprint—securing licenses in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM, Hong Kong, and Austria under MiCAR. Its 2025 Hong Kong license uplift enables full trading and custody capabilities, supporting plans to introduce private fund management, tokenized assets, derivatives, and structured products. This expansion aligns with Hong Kong’s 2026 roadmap for custodian and stablecoin issuer licensing.

Hong Kong’s recent decision to allow licensed virtual-asset platforms to connect with global liquidity pools strengthens this momentum, opening the door for higher trading volumes, deeper order books, and greater international participation.