- The new licence encompasses 13 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, USDC, and Tether.
- AMINA reported a staggering 233% increase in trading volumes on Hong Kong exchanges in early 2025.
- This year, Hong Kong has introduced new stablecoin regulations and approved a Solana ETF.
Hong Kong continues to solidify its position as a hub for regulated digital assets, recently highlighted by Swiss crypto entity AMINA Bank AG obtaining regulatory approval to broaden its services in the region.
The bank has received a Type 1 licence uplift from the Securities and Futures Commission, making it the first international bank to offer regulated services for crypto trading and custody targeted at institutional clients in Hong Kong.
This development enhances the city’s status as a regional digital asset center and indicates a growing appetite for compliant crypto services among institutional traders.
AMINA intends to leverage this approval to provide institutional clients with a regulated pathway to engage with cryptocurrencies, especially as demand for heightened safeguards and clarity in regulations escalates.
Challenges with compliance standards have historically limited the participation of many foreign institutions, creating a niche that firms with robust banking systems, like AMINA, aim to fill with a regulatory framework.
AMINA Ventures into a Rapidly Expanding Market
The enhancement of AMINA’s licence allows its Hong Kong branch to extend trading and custody services for a portfolio of 13 cryptocurrencies.
This list includes major digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ether, USDC, and Tether, along with various popular decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens frequently traded on international platforms.
The added approval opens new avenues for institutional clients seeking a single regulated outlet for a diverse selection of digital assets.
AMINA has recorded a significant uptick in trading activity, noting a 233% increase in Hong Kong crypto trading volumes within the first half of 2025. This surge reflects heightened participation from both institutional and retail traders as the regulatory landscape evolves.
With the operational green light, AMINA plans to diversify its offerings further by branching into private fund management, creating structured crypto investment products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets.
This expansion positions AMINA as a key player in providing institutional clients with varied exposure to multiple digital asset classes.
Local Competitors in a Global Landscape
While AMINA’s recent approval is a landmark achievement, it joins a competitive environment already populated by local players like Tiger Brokers and HashKey, who have catered to both institutional and retail audiences under earlier licenses.
The entrance of AMINA signals to global financial institutions that the market is increasingly favorable for foreign players, potentially altering the competitive landscape for existing domestic providers.
Hong Kong officials have reiterated their commitment to making the city an appealing destination for global firms, and AMINA’s presence may incentivize more banks and financial institutions to explore business opportunities within Asia’s regulated cryptocurrency markets.
Shifting Policies Shape Hong Kong’s Crypto Framework
The approval granted to AMINA comes at a pivotal moment as the city actively evolves its regulatory policies surrounding digital assets.
In August, Hong Kong rolled out new regulations for stablecoins, establishing a formal licensing framework for issuers. This proactive measure has already attracted attention from major regional banks like HSBC and ICBC, which are reportedly evaluating license applications as they formulate their digital asset strategies.
Additionally, Hong Kong recently sanctioned its first Solana exchange-traded fund, positioning itself ahead of other global players like the US in creating regulated investment options for cryptocurrency markets.
In August, the region also revised rules governing self-custody of digital assets to enhance cybersecurity protections, although the adjustments were framed more as security enhancements rather than limitations on access.
The convergence of new regulations, increased institutional interest, and AMINA’s regulatory advancements has established a conducive environment for additional global firms to contemplate entry into Hong Kong’s regulatory landscape.
AMINA’s licensing progress is emblematic of Hong Kong’s balanced approach, striving for robust compliance while simultaneously promoting market expansion.
