CMB International Securities (CMBI), a subsidiary of China Merchants Bank (the world's eighth-largest bank), has launched round-the-clock trading for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT) in Hong Kong. The service, available exclusively to qualified investors via CMBI's mobile app, enables 24/7 transactions—mirroring the nonstop nature of cryptocurrency markets and marking the firm's inaugural major step into digital finance.
As the first securities arm of a Chinese bank to secure a virtual asset trading license in Hong Kong, CMBI's milestone reflects accelerating institutional adoption of regulated digital assets. The platform eliminates time barriers for investors while operating under strict compliance and risk management protocols, aligning with Hong Kong's ambitions to become a digital asset hub. CMBI plans gradual expansion beyond BTC, ETH, and USDT, emphasizing cautious growth amid global regulatory scrutiny.
Backed by its parent bank's $4.9 trillion asset base, CMBI's launch strengthens Hong Kong's position in Asia's financial ecosystem and signals deepening institutional confidence in cryptocurrencies. The move bridges traditional banking with digital assets and may prompt similar initiatives from other financial institutions.