AMINA Bank AG
Key Data
- Trading Name: Bank Amina
- Legal Entity: AMINA Bank AG
- Activities: Crypto Bank
- Location: Swiss
- Regulations: licensed by FINMA
- Key People: Franz Bergmuelle/Guido Bühler
AMINA Bank AG, formerly known as SEBA Bank, is a Swiss-based financial institution headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. Established in 2019, it was among the first globally to secure a banking and securities dealer license from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets.
Offering
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Digital Asset Custody: Institutional-grade crypto custody with insurance options.
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Fiat and Crypto Banking: Multi-currency accounts supporting both crypto and fiat.
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Trading Services: Regulated trading for major cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies.
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Asset Management: Investment products, including structured products and discretionary mandates focused on digital assets.
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Tokenization Services: Solutions for issuing and managing tokenized real-world assets.
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Lending: Crypto-backed lending for institutional clients.
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Corporate Accounts: Banking services for crypto-native businesses, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.
AMINA aims to serve institutional clients, crypto companies, and professional investors with a compliant and regulated infrastructure.
Regulation
AMINA Bank is one of the few crypto banks fully licensed by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA):
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Banking License: Received in 2019, making it one of the first regulated crypto banks globally.
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Securities Dealer License: Allows the bank to engage in tokenization and trading of digital and traditional assets.
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AML/KYC Compliance: Operates under Swiss AML regulations, with stringent onboarding and transaction monitoring protocols.
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International Presence: Maintains regulatory and legal frameworks in multiple jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore.
Regulatory compliance is central to AMINA’s value proposition. However, FINMA’s stricter stance in 2024–2025 poses potential risks to the bank’s operations.
Online Reputation
AMINA’s online reputation is currently mixed:
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Positive Mentions:
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Known for being a pioneer in regulated crypto banking.
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Recognized for institutional-grade services and innovation in tokenization.
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Expansion into Asia-Pacific viewed as forward-thinking.
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Negative Mentions:
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Concerns around recent reports of financial distress and rumors of a potential sale.
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Criticism regarding over-spending, especially on branding and office infrastructure.
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Increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies.
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The recent shift from SEBA Bank to AMINA was an attempt to refresh its brand, but has not yet fully countered the reputational concerns raised in the latest news cycles.
People
Key Figures (as of 2024–2025):
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Franz Bergmueller – CEO: Has led the bank through rebranding and international expansion efforts.
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Guido Bühler – Founding CEO (former): Played a central role in establishing SEBA’s regulatory credentials.
AMINA’s team includes professionals from both traditional finance and blockchain industries. However, the bank has seen executive turnover, which has raised questions about internal stability and long-term strategy.
Customer Review
Customer reviews for AMINA Bank are limited and mixed:
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Positives:
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Institutional clients appreciate the security, regulatory clarity, and product depth.
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Professional user interface and customer service.
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Clear onboarding process with strong KYC practices.
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Negatives:
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Some customers report slow response times for support.
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Limited retail focus — not ideal for casual or beginner crypto users.
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Recent uncertainty has caused anxiety among high-net-worth clients.
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Feedback is more prevalent in professional and crypto-industry circles than on mainstream review platforms.
News
Recent headlines (2024–2025) have brought attention to potential financial instability:
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Investor Briefings and Reports: Suggest AMINA may be up for sale at a discounted rate.
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FINMA Oversight: Tighter regulatory scrutiny has cast doubt on the bank’s mid-term survival if it cannot stabilize or secure new ownership.
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Withdrawal Activity: Rumors of client withdrawals due to uncertainty have emerged.
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Chinese Acquisition Interest: Speculation about a potential acquisition by Chinese investors, pending FINMA approval.
Despite these concerns, AMINA continues to operate and pursue strategic partnerships in Asia.
Conclusion and Rating
AMINA Bank AG remains a trailblazer in the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets. Its full regulatory licensing and comprehensive service offering give it a competitive edge. However, reputational risks, executive turnover, and recent financial instability reports present serious challenges.
From a compliance perspective, AMINA adheres to one of the world’s strictest financial regulatory frameworks, but future viability depends on:
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Gaining regulatory approval for any acquisition
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Stabilizing internal leadership
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Restoring client confidence and operational clarity
Compliance Rating – AMINA Bank AG
Category | Rating | Justification |
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Offering | 🟢 Green | Comprehensive and professional offering for institutional clients with a focus on regulated crypto services. |
Regulation | 🟠 Orange | Fully licensed by FINMA, but under increasing regulatory pressure; future uncertain due to potential sale. |
Online Reputation | 🔴 Red | Recent media reports on financial instability and potential closure are damaging the bank’s reputation. |
People | 🟠 Orange | Experienced leadership, but leadership turnover and internal uncertainty are raising concerns. |
Customer Review | 🟠 Orange | Mixed reviews: professional setup but concerns over support and future stability. |
News | ⚫ Black | Ongoing news about financial distress, customer withdrawals, and regulatory risks suggest a critical situation. |
Overall Rating | 🔴 Red | High compliance risk due to financial instability, regulatory uncertainty, and reputational damage. |