AMINA Bank Taps Banking Leader Michael Benz to Lead APAC Expansion

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AMINA Bank Taps Banking Leader Michael Benz to Lead APAC Expansion

2025-08-14 08:29 Last Updated At：08:50

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 13, 2025--

AMINA Bank AG ("AMINA Bank"), a Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)-regulated crypto bank with global reach, has appointed Michael Benz as Head of AMINA Hong Kong and the wider APAC region. Benz brings over three decades of senior leadership to AMINA Hong Kong, including Global Head of Private Banking at Standard Chartered, CEO of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Asia, and Head of Product & Services at UBS Wealth Management APAC. The appointment, following AMINA's record 2024 performance, positions AMINA to capitalise on Hong Kong's evolving regulatory framework and accelerating institutional adoption across the region. Michael will report directly to CEO Franz Bergmueller.

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Of the appointment, Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA Bank, said: "Michael's expertise in both traditional finance and crypto makes him the ideal leader to continue our expansion across Asia. His exceptional network and deep understanding of client needs will allow us to continue evolving our crypto products and capabilities. Michael's leadership ensures that we can deliver the comprehensive, regulated crypto services that our sophisticated clients demand in the region."

The appointment follows a record-breaking 2024 for AMINA Bank, which achieved 69% revenue growth to reach $40.4 million, making it Switzerland’s fastest-growing crypto bank.

Hong Kong's regulatory environment has reached new levels of maturity with the Securities and Futures Commission's ASPIRe roadmap rollout, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s stablecoin licensing framework that became effective August 1, and the government's Digital Asset Policy 2.0 initiative, creating unprecedented opportunities for institutional-grade crypto banking services.

With a proven track record serving private, corporate, and institutional clients across Asia, Michael combines deep market knowledge and a steadfast commitment to client needs. His expertise positions him to help AMINA capitalise on Hong Kong's emergence as a global crypto hub, while delivering the trusted partnership that clients require when embracing crypto innovation.

"My two decades in Asia have shown me that Hong Kong uniquely prioritises practical business adoption in a regulated environment, and crypto technology is no exception,” said Michael. “This creates an extraordinary opportunity for institutions, corporates, and professional investors exploring this new asset class. What drew me to AMINA is their distinctive approach, combining regulatory excellence and rigor with Hong Kong market access to deliver crypto solutions that clients can trust. I look forward to contributing to AMINA’s journey as we shape the future of financial services in Hong Kong and beyond.”

With Michael onboard, AMINA is poised to accelerate the expansion of its comprehensive crypto banking services while upholding strong regulatory oversight across all markets. Enhanced technology platforms launching in H2 2025, combined with new strategic partnerships in Hong Kong, will further strengthen AMINA's position as the essential infrastructure for institutional crypto adoption.

About AMINA — Crypto. Banking. Simplified.

Founded in April 2018 and established in Zug (Switzerland), AMINA Bank AG is a pioneer in the crypto banking industry. In August 2019, AMINA Bank AG received the Swiss Banking and Securities Dealer License from the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”). In February 2022, AMINA Bank AG, Abu Dhabi Global Markets (“ADGM”) Branch received Financial Services Permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”) of ADGM to Advise on Investments or Credit, Arrange Deals in Investment, Arrange Credit and Arrange Custody for Professional Clients as defined in the Conduct of Business (“COBS”) Rulebook. In November 2023, AMINA (Hong Kong) Limited received its Type 1 (Dealing in Securities), Type 4 (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 (Asset Management) licenses from the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”).

CVVC Global Report and CB Insights named AMINA as one of the Top 50 Companies within the blockchain ecosystem. In 2023, AMINA won the European WealthBriefing Award in the Digital Assets Solution, Fund Manager category. AMINA was most recently recognised as Institutional Digital Asset Innovation of the Year at the Hedgeweek® Global Digital Assets Awards 2025.

To learn more about AMINA, visit www.aminagroup.com

A South Korean court sentences Yoon to 5 years in prison on charges related to martial law decree

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison Friday in the first verdict from eight criminal trials over the martial law debacle that forced him out of office and other allegations.

Yoon was impeached, arrested and dismissed as president after his short-lived imposition of martial law in December 2024 triggered huge public protests calling for his ouster.

The most significant criminal charge against him alleges that his martial law enforcement amounted to a rebellion, and the independent counsel has requested the death sentence in the case that is to be decided in a ruling next month.

In Friday's case, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Yoon for defying attempts to detain him, fabricating the martial law proclamation and sidestepping a legally mandated full Cabinet meeting.

Yoon has maintained he didn’t intend to place the country under military rule for an extended period, saying his decree was only meant to inform the people about the danger of the liberal-controlled parliament obstructing his agenda. But investigators have viewed Yoon’s decree as an attempt to bolster and prolong his rule, charging him with rebellion, abuse of power and other criminal offenses.

Judge Baek Dae-hyun said in the televised ruling that imposing “a grave punishment” was necessary because Yoon hasn’t shown remorse and has only repeated “hard-to-comprehend excuses.” The judge also restoring legal systems damaged by Yoon’s action was necessary.

Yoon, who can appeal the ruling, hasn’t immediately publicly responded to the ruling. But when the independent counsel demanded a 10-year prison term in the case, Yoon’s defense team accused them of being politically driven and lacking legal grounds to demand such “an excessive” sentence.

Prison sentences in the multiple, smaller trials Yoon faces would matter if he is spared the death penalty or life imprisonment at the rebellion trial.

Park SungBae, a lawyer who specializes in criminal law, said there is little chance the court would decide Yoon should face the death penalty in the rebellion case. He said the court will likely issue a life sentence or a sentence of 30 years or more in prison.

South Korea has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 1997 and courts rarely hand down death sentences. Park said the court would take into account that Yoon’s decree didn’t cause casualties and didn’t last long, although Yoon hasn’t shown genuine remorse for his action.