{"id":1547,"date":"2025-11-18T04:32:49","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T09:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.decentralnetwork.org\/news\/?p=1547"},"modified":"2025-11-21T07:22:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T12:22:35","slug":"amina-bank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.decentralnetwork.org\/news\/amina-bank\/","title":{"rendered":"AMINA Bank Wins Key Hong Kong Approval for Institutional Crypto Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"AMINA<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Switzerland\u2019s AMINA Bank AG has officially entered one of Asia\u2019s most tightly regulated digital-asset markets after securing approval from Hong Kong\u2019s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The license allows the bank to offer crypto trading and custody services to institutional and professional investors \u2014 a milestone that positions AMINA as the first international banking group to receive the city\u2019s \u201cType 1 license uplift.\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The approval, announced on Nov. 18, marks a major step for AMINA as Hong Kong continues shaping itself into a hub for regulated crypto finance. The bank will operate through its local subsidiary, AMINA HK, and will initially support 13 digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USD Coin (USDC),<\/a> and Tether (USDT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Benz, AMINA\u2019s Head of Hong Kong and APAC, said the move comes at a time when institutional demand in the city is accelerating.
\u201cHong Kong has established itself as the region\u2019s most sophisticated market for regulated institutional crypto adoption,\u201d Benz noted, adding that the license enables the bank to meet growing demand for secure and compliant access to digital assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Filling a Gap in Hong Kong\u2019s Crypto Market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

AMINA believes its entry will help fill what it calls a \u201ccritical gap\u201d in Hong Kong\u2019s institutional crypto space. According to the bank, many professional investors and family offices have struggled to access institutional-grade digital-asset services while also onboarding locally. The new license aims to solve that challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the approval gives institutional traders access to a broader selection of tokens, retail investors in Hong Kong remain limited to large-cap cryptocurrencies that appear in at least two recognized indices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, Hong Kong continues to be a key jurisdiction for global financial institutions. Earlier this month, AMINA reported a massive 233% surge in trading volumes across Hong Kong crypto exchanges during the first half of 2025, signaling robust growth in institutional activity.
\u201cHong Kong\u2019s crypto landscape in 2025 demonstrates institutional adoption at scale,\u201d the bank wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What It Takes to Secure a Type 1 License Uplift<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To receive the license boost, firms must prove to the SFC that they meet strict capital rules, maintain adequate risk-management systems, and have qualified Responsible Officers overseeing operations. With the approval in hand, AMINA plans to broaden its crypto product lineup \u2014 including private fund management, structured products, derivatives, and tokenized real-world assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis milestone enables us to expand our crypto product shelf,\u201d Benz said, emphasizing the importance of offering regulated services to high-value clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMINA\u2019s Global Expansion Continues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Hong Kong approval comes just weeks after AMINA secured a MiCA license in the European Union. Its new Austrian subsidiary, AMINA (Austria) AG, received permission from the Austrian Financial Market Authority to provide trading, custody, and portfolio management services across the European Economic Area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent months, the bank has also bolstered its institutional offerings with support for Ripple\u2019s RLUSD stablecoin, staking for Polygon\u2019s POL token, and the removal of custody fees for USD Coin reward accounts \u2014 signaling its growing ambition to become a leading global player in institutional crypto finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: Japan Moves to Reclassify Crypto as Financial Products, Plans Major Tax Cuts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Switzerland\u2019s AMINA Bank AG has officially entered one of Asia\u2019s most tightly regulated digital-asset markets after securing approval from Hong … <\/p>\n

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