Around-the-clock cryptocurrency trading for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT starts in Hong Kong by CMB International.
CMB International Securities Takes the Lead in Hong Kong's Digital Asset Market
CMB International Securities (CMBI) has made history by becoming the first Chinese bank-affiliated securities firm in Hong Kong to secure a license for crypto trading. This milestone marks CMBI's significant expansion into the digital asset trading space, integrating it with their conventional stock trading and fintech services.
The licence, issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), allows CMBI to operate a crypto exchange platform that offers 24/7 trading of major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. This move comes as part of a broader institutional and regulatory momentum in Hong Kong, where bank-linked firms and Chinese tech companies are actively partnering and competing in stablecoin issuance and wider digital asset services.
Hong Kong is rapidly developing as a regional hub for digital assets, supported by progressive regulations such as the HKMA’s recently finalized stablecoin licensing framework effective August 2025. This framework enhances the legitimacy of stablecoins like USDC and USDT, and facilitates their use in cross-border payments and tokenized asset trading.
As of mid-2025, 22 banks in Hong Kong have been authorized to distribute digital asset-related products, with growing engagement in tokenized securities and custodial services, reflecting a 233% year-on-year increase in digital asset transactions. Other Chinese brokerages like Futu have also advanced crypto trading operations in Hong Kong and internationally, underscoring rapid sector growth and institutional adoption.
CMBI's approach to crypto trading appears aligned with the balance of innovation and oversight required in the digital assets sector. The firm plans to broaden its trading scope step by step while remaining within a strict compliance and risk management framework. This approach aims to simplify investor participation in the digital assets market, making it more accessible to qualified investors.
The launch of CMBI's crypto trading service strengthens Hong Kong's position in Asia's financial scene and adds weight to the city's digital finance ambitions. It also signals growing institutional confidence in digital assets, as demonstrated by CMBI's parent company, China Merchants Bank, the world's eighth-largest bank.
Global regulators are closely watching crypto markets, and Hong Kong wants to be a hub for digital assets while prioritizing investor safety. The convenience of 24/7 trading through CMBI's app removes time barriers and highlights the firm's long-term strategy.
In summary, CMB International Securities is at the forefront of Hong Kong’s evolving digital asset market, operating a crypto exchange with plans to integrate conventional and digital trading services. The supportive regulatory environment and growing participation by banks and tech firms in Hong Kong indicate robust and accelerating development in digital asset trading activities. This move may inspire other bank-backed institutions to follow into the crypto market, further solidifying digital assets as a key part of Hong Kong's regulated financial system.
