Hong Kong Moves Ahead With Crypto Regulations; Updating Policies

With the evolution of digital assets, the growing popularity, and widespread adoption, governments around the world also started taking crypto seriously. Hence, comes the need for proper regulations to cater to the demand for safety since a lot of capital is involved. Many countries are stepping towards the regulations for virtual currencies but they differ in progress. Hong Kong is within the category of rapidly moving ahead with the process of regulating the assets as the recent development shows.

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the financial regulator of Hong Kong, recently called for an update on digital assets policies in the region. These updates came in the wake of enhancing the existing regime and eliminating the unnecessary clauses while including the crucial ones.

In the notice released on October 20, 2023, SFC noted that professional investors will be restricted from opting for some cryptocurrency products. There are updated guidelines for intermediaries like crypto exchange platforms. For instance, the platforms will be required to assess clients looking to venture into the market to ensure they have prior knowledge of crypto investments.

The financial regulator noted the fact that crypto assets have made their presence all across the world, but the proper regulations are still something that many countries miss. It further noted that it had identified the risks of making investments in cryptocurrencies in 2018. These risks, as per SFC, are still relevant and applicable today.

The revised regulations now categorize virtual assets as “complex products” within the jurisdiction of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong, subjecting them to the same regulatory guidelines as other intricate financial products.

Notably, the SFC cites crypto exchange-traded funds and products originating from outside Hong Kong as specific instances of complex products in this context. These updates reflect the authorities’ efforts to apply consistent and comprehensive oversight to the evolving landscape of virtual assets within the region.

Crypto Assets See Growth in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s cryptocurrency sector witnessed a significant influx of $64 billion in digital assets from July 2022 to June 2023. Nonetheless, South Korea and Japan have taken the lead in these figures, amassing over $1 trillion worth of digital assets received during the same period.

It’s noteworthy that a substantial portion of Hong Kong’s cryptocurrency activity is attributed to its robust over-the-counter (OTC) market, highlighting the city’s prominent role in the global crypto landscape.

Hong Kong stands out for its significant share of institutional cryptocurrency transactions, especially those involving $10 Million or more, surpassing other countries mentioned in the report. In contrast, South Korea leads in professional investments ranging from $10,000 to $1 Million.

Japan seems to align more closely with global averages in this regard, as noted by Chainalysis. These distinctions highlight the diverse and evolving crypto investment landscapes in these countries.

JPEX Scandal Still Hovers

The repercussions of the JPEX crypto exchange scandal continue to reverberate among the crypto community in Hong Kong. In September, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) disclosed that it had amassed over 1,000 complaints linked to JPEX, with affected users reporting substantial losses amounting to millions of dollars.

Subsequently, local law enforcement arrested six JPEX employees for their involvement in running an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange. This case underscores the pressing need for enhanced regulation and oversight within the crypto industry to protect users and maintain the integrity of the financial ecosystem.

While it remains uncertain whether the Securities and Futures Commission’s (SFC) revised policies directly stem from the JPEX incident or not, the regulator did announce in September its intention to intensify efforts in informing crypto investors about associated risks.

Additionally, in October, the Hong Kong Police Force and the SFC joined forces to establish a working group with the objective of monitoring and probing potential illegal activities related to digital assets. These initiatives underscore the authorities’ commitment to addressing emerging challenges and safeguarding investors in the dynamic cryptocurrency landscape.

Andrew is a blockchain developer who developed his interest in cryptocurrencies while his post-graduation. He is a keen observer of details and shares his passion for writing along with being a developer. His backend knowledge about blockchain helps him give a unique perspective to his writing