AMINA Bank has obtained a license in Hong Kong authorizing it to offer crypto services to institutions, further solidifying the region as Asia's most advanced digital financial hub.
Hong Kong's evolution into a digital finance hub has taken another significant step. AMINA Bank, a Swiss institution specializing in cryptocurrency financial services, has received official approval from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to operate in the region.. This authorization makes the firm the first authorized international bank to offer custody and trading services for digital assets under the strict local regulatory framework.
The issuance of this authorization represents an unprecedented opening, as until now this privilege seemed reserved exclusively for native operators and local asset exchange platforms. However, with this authorization, Hong Kong reinforces its commitment to financial innovation and positions its ecosystem as a global destination for digital assets.
Furthermore, this fact reflects the growing integration of traditional banking with new technological trends, paving the way for greater trust and investment in the regional digital market.
Manage crypto assets without borders: join todayHong Kong promotes crypto banking
The recent granting of a Type 1 banking license to a Swiss entity in Hong Kong reflects the growing demand that has driven the market over the past year. In the first half of the year, trading volume on Hong Kong exchanges grew by 233% year-on-year, reaching a record high of HK$26.100 billion. This growth underscores the strong interest from both retail and institutional investors seeking secure and regulated channels to interact with these digital assets.
Thus, the arrival of this Type 1 licensed bank fulfills an essential need: to offer services with standards "bank-grade" that traditional institutions require to operate with full confidence in the sector.
Michael Benz, head of AMINA in Hong Kong, explained The license will initially allow trading in 13 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins and DeFi tokensFurthermore, there are plans to move towards the management of private funds, structured products and the tokenization of real-world assets, an area where traditional banking and blockchain technology are beginning to meet and generate synergies.
The new crypto era is transforming traditional banking.
The context surrounding AMINA Bank's approval to operate with cryptocurrencies reveals a profound transformation in Hong Kong's financial structure. The city has evolved, moving beyond its role as a spectator to become a key player in the Asian digital economy. By the middle of this year, the local banking sector was showing significant progress, with 22 banks offering products linked to digital assets and 5 large institutions providing specialized custody services.
However, this growth is not limited to infrastructure; it is also reflected in the changing profile of investors. Family offices and high-net-worth individuals are the main drivers of this trend, incorporating digital assets as a key part of their portfolios.
Reports from consulting firms like EY highlight that these offices They allocate around 5% of their investments to cryptocurrencieswith plans to double this proportion in the next five years. Thus, unlike previous stages dominated by immediate speculation, today these investors see cryptocurrencies as tools to diversify risk, protect against inflation, and improve liquidity management, consolidating them as strategic and reliable assets in the market.
Furthermore, the approval of AMINA Bank sends a clear message to major international financial groups. While some local firms already had a presence in this sector, the arrival of an international bank regulated under the same framework highlights openness and fair competition in the market. At the same time, initiatives such as HSBC's blockchain settlement services and Standard Chartered's innovative operations demonstrate that the technology is ready to support high-level banking and that Hong Kong is increasingly positioning itself as a dynamic and competitive hub for integrating traditional finance with digital innovation.
Buy BTC here: enter the market securelyHong Kong: a key bridge for digital assets and mainland China
Hong Kong's role in the crypto ecosystem is becoming increasingly important, thanks to its unique geopolitical and economic position. While cryptocurrency trading is prohibited in mainland China, it is estimated that More than 78 million Chinese citizens own digital assetsAmid this reality, Hong Kong emerges as the safe and regulated port for channeling these capital flows, offering a transparent and solid legal framework that is nonexistent just across the border.
Hong Kong's strength lies in its regulatory clarity, which contrasts sharply with the legal uncertainty that still persists in several Western markets. Here, cryptocurrencies are formally recognized as property, allowing them to be included in trusts and other legal instruments. Furthermore, the region has implemented specific rules for stablecoin issuers, requiring them to maintain full reserves in fiat currency—a measure that adds confidence and stability to the market.
Hong Kong has even taken a step forward in financial innovation by approving pioneering products such as Solana's first spot ETF, surpassing advanced markets such as the United States.
This balance between investor protection and fostering innovation places Hong Kong in a distinct middle ground between Singapore's more restrictive approach and Dubai's more open model. For international financial institutions, the combination of legal certainty, liquidity, and direct connection to China makes Hong Kong an attractive operations hub. The recent authorization for an international bank like AMINA Bank to operate in the city further strengthens Hong Kong's image as a reliable regulator committed to effectively supervising high-level global players.
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