Hong Kong Regulator Warns Against Stablecoin License Scams

Ye Zhiheng, Executive Director at the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, cautioned investors about stock price inflation scams linked to stablecoin license applications in the first half of 2025.

This highlights ongoing concerns over fraud in the virtual asset sector, emphasizing investor caution, particularly on unlicensed platforms amid increasing complaints and scam activities.

SFC Warns Against Stock Manipulation via Stablecoin Licenses

Ye Zhiheng of the SFC warned that some companies are using stablecoin license applications to artificially inflate their stock prices. Investors should be cautious and rational, he advised, to avoid falling victim to related scams.

In the first half of the year, 265 complaints related to virtual asset transactions were received, often involving overseas fraud and platform violations. These insights underscore the potential dangers of trading on unlicensed platforms, as reported by the SFC.

“Some listed companies are using applications for stablecoin licenses to hype their share prices. Investors should remain rational and beware of scams.” – Ye Zhiheng, Executive Director, Intermediaries Division, Hong Kong SFC

Past Regulatory Issues Influence Stablecoin Practices

Did you know? The SFC addressed similar non-compliance issues in the past, influencing trading volumes toward overseas exchanges and prompting temporary volatility in crypto-affiliated stocks.

According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum (ETH) is priced at $4,304.17, with a market cap of formatNumber(519547041415, 2). It holds 13.23% dominance, showing a 2.71% decline over 24 hours, but a 70.86% gain over 60 days. The trading volume was $51.29 billion, a 57.23% uptick.

Insights from Coincu suggest that increased regulatory scrutiny may lead to stricter licensing processes for stablecoins, potentially affecting market liquidity and innovation avenues. Recognizing these regulations’ broader impacts remains vital for industry anticipation.