A Swiss crypto bank breaks new ground
AMINA Bank, which operates under Swiss regulation, has become the first bank in Europe to implement Ripple Payments. This integration connects traditional banking systems with blockchain technology, offering crypto-focused clients a more efficient way to handle cross-border transactions. The move builds on AMINA’s earlier adoption of Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, creating what appears to be a more complete financial infrastructure for digital assets.
I think this matters because crypto companies have faced real challenges working with traditional banking networks. Stablecoin transfers, in particular, have been problematic since most banks don’t support them properly. Myles Harrison, AMINA’s Chief Product Officer, pointed out that legacy correspondent banking systems weren’t designed for digital assets. They just weren’t.
How the integration changes things
By connecting directly to Ripple’s licensed infrastructure, AMINA can now route transactions through both fiat and stablecoin channels simultaneously. This should mean faster fund movement, lower costs, and better transparency across borders. Harrison suggested this gives AMINA’s clients a competitive advantage as web3 businesses expand globally.
Perhaps the timing is right. With MiCA regulations creating clearer pathways for licensed digital asset activity in Europe, banks are looking for compliant ways to support crypto operations. Ripple’s technology helps with multi-currency payouts and stablecoin-based operations within a regulated framework.
The broader context
AMINA Bank has been growing steadily since receiving its FINMA banking license in 2019. This year, it added regulatory approvals in Hong Kong and the EU under MiCA. The Ripple integration layers payments infrastructure on top of those licenses, creating what might be one of Europe’s most advanced crypto-banking setups.
For Ripple, this partnership demonstrates how their technology can operate within a regulated bank without compromising compliance. Ripple Payments already handles more than $95 billion in processed volume and covers over 90% of global FX corridors. With AMINA now live, their European presence expands significantly.
Cassie Craddock, Ripple’s Managing Director for the UK and Europe, described AMINA as an “on-ramp” for innovators needing access to traditional financial infrastructure. That phrasing seems accurate—it’s about bridging two worlds that have often operated separately.
What this means for clients
For AMINA’s clients, the practical benefits include fewer delays, reduced intermediaries, and faster access to liquidity. As crypto companies expand across borders, partnerships like this are becoming essential rather than optional. Ripple and AMINA aim to set a new standard for how banks support digital assets—treating them as core financial services rather than peripheral features.
But let’s be realistic. While this is a significant milestone, it’s just one step in a longer journey toward mainstream crypto banking integration. The real test will be how smoothly the system operates at scale and whether other European banks follow AMINA’s lead. Still, it’s progress, and in this space, progress matters more than perfection.
