CMB International Securities, the investment arm of China Merchants Bank, has rolled out Bitcoin trading services for its clients. According to a local report , the announcement came on August 18, 2025, making CMB International the first securities firm affiliated with a Chinese bank to launch digital asset trading in Hong Kong under a fully regulated framework.Details of the Crypto Trading Service Notably, per the report, the new service will allow clients to trade three crypto assets: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT), with no details on whether the firm plans to expand the offering in the future.The service is available through the company's mobile app and runs around the clock, giving clients direct access to crypto markets while keeping them within Hong Kong's regulatory standards. To gain access, investors must complete full Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering checks before trading, an effort to comply with the city's strict oversight of digital assets. CMB International secured the necessary licenses from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission last year, as it prepared for the recent launch.Moreover, the platform uses cold wallets, real-time risk monitoring, and independent audits to strengthen trust and safeguard client funds. CMB International has also formed a technical partnership with OKX Planet, which supplies liquidity and trading engine support. The company also plans to push further into blockchain-based products, including a tokenized money market fund.Hong Kong Moving On as China LagsNotably, this shows the contrast in the crypto regulatory atmosphere between Hong Kong and mainland China. While Hong Kong has embraced digital assets under clear regulatory rules, mainland authorities still ban cryptocurrency-related activities, calling them illegal financial transactions. Industry lawyers have warned mainland residents to stay cautious, but they also note that CMB International's example shows how Chinese financial groups can expand offshore in a compliant way.Global Institutional Bitcoin Adoption SoarsThe launch mirrors a global trend where major banks are moving deeper into crypto. In the United States, JPMorgan Chase plans to let customers purchase digital assets through Coinbase in a recent collaboration, while PNC Bank announced a similar partnership last month. Standard Chartered has already started offering spot Bitcoin and Ether trading to institutional clients in the UK. Morgan Stanley , through E*Trade, is preparing to introduce crypto trading in 2026, and Deutsche Bank , together with Germany's savings banks, is building regulated custody and trading platforms set to go live by mid-2026.Compared with Europe and the US, China has moved more cautiously, but Hong Kong's efforts to become an international hub are now encouraging its financial giants to act. Other firms, including Guotai Junan International and Tianfeng International, have already applied for license upgrades and may soon launch similar services.
