Regulatory greenlight positions the bank to expand into trading, custody, and emerging digital-asset offerings amid surging market activity

Swiss crypto bank AMINA Bank AG has received regulatory approval in Hong Kong to provide crypto trading and custody services to institutional clients, marking it as the first international bank to secure such authorization in the city.
The Securities and Futures Commission granted AMINA a “Type 1 license uplift,” enabling the firm to serve institutional investors seeking compliant, bank-grade crypto services under Hong Kong’s stringent regulatory framework.

The license allows AMINA’s Hong Kong unit to offer trading and custody for 13 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, USDC, Tether, and several major DeFi tokens, reflecting the growing institutional appetite for diversified digital assets.

Institutional expansion amid rising market activity

AMINA’s announcement coincides with rapid growth in the Hong Kong crypto market. Trading volumes on local exchanges surged 233% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. Michael Benz, AMINA’s head in Hong Kong, said the license positions the bank to broaden its offerings into private fund management, structured products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets.

These segments are expected to drive the next wave of institutional demand as Hong Kong continues attracting global digital-asset businesses.

While AMINA is the first foreign bank to gain this enhanced Type 1 permission, the city already hosts local players such as Tiger Brokers and HashKey. The approval aligns with broader regulatory reforms, including stablecoin rules introduced in August and the launch of Hong Kong’s first Solana ETF in October, signaling regulators’ intent to expand institutional crypto investment opportunities.

Amina Bank Announcement.

Hong Kong’s push to integrate global liquidity

Hong Kong is also preparing significant changes to its crypto trading framework. Licensed exchanges will soon be able to connect with global order books, ending the city’s isolated trading model and harmonizing digital-asset rules with traditional financial markets.

This reform aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a regional crypto hub while maintaining investor protections.

Additional regulatory measures will establish licensing frameworks for crypto dealers, custodians, and stablecoin issuers. Licensed brokers may gain access to global liquidity pools, facilitating easier entry for international platforms such as Binance and Coinbase.

AMINA’s entry into Hong Kong adds momentum to the city’s ambition to become a leading center for institutional crypto finance, offering both regulatory certainty and access to emerging digital-asset markets.

AMINA bank launches Ripple’s RLUSD

Swiss crypto bank AMINA Bank AG has become the first global bank to offer custody and trading for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, providing institutional clients with regulated, dollar-backed digital assets. RLUSD is pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar and fully backed by cash and cash equivalents, including U.S. Treasuries, giving investors a secure and transparent option for digital-dollar exposure.

The integration allows professional clients to transact, hold, and manage RLUSD within a bank-grade framework, bridging traditional finance with regulated stablecoins. Unlike unregulated tokens, RLUSD combines blockchain efficiency with strict oversight, making it suitable for institutional treasuries, funds, and corporate clients. Myles Harrison, AMINA’s Chief Product Officer, highlighted the strategic importance: the move supports safe adoption of digital assets, expands custody and trading options, and positions AMINA at the forefront of the emerging institutional stablecoin market.

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