Regulator sets out its expectations for banks looking to provide digital asset custody services, and sell and distribute tokenised products. On 20 February 2024, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published two...more
U.S. Companies Announce Crypto Cashback and NFT Ticketing Initiatives - According to recent reports, a major U.S. credit card company has partnered with Swoo, a mobile wallet blending traditional and crypto payments, to...more
On 27 December 2023, the Hong Kong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) jointly issued a consultation paper (the Consultation) proposing regulatory regime for...more
Opening the door for retail Investors: SFC-authorized virtual asset funds On 22 December 2023, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a circular on SFC-authorized funds with exposure to virtual assets...more
Hong Kong has seen cryptocurrencies grow in popularity, highlighting the need for appropriate licensing regimes (implemented in the form of virtual asset service providers (VASPs)), bolstered by active enforcement actions. ...more
The proposed regulatory framework would create substantive obligations on issuers of fiat-referencing stablecoins to safeguard the public. On 27 December 2023, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and...more
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on 12 January 2022 issued a discussion paper on Crypto-assets and Stablecoins. The HKMA received over 50 responses from the public and issued its "Conclusion on Discussion Paper on...more
In this new series, we will provide an overview of recent noteworthy developments in the digital asset space around the world. The start of February was a busy period for regulators in the United States, where the US...more
In January 2022, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued a Discussion Paper on Crypto-assets and Stablecoins, inviting industry comments on the regulatory approach of crypto-assets, in particular payment-related stablecoins....more
Regulators released comprehensive guidance to banks, intermediaries, and insurers on virtual asset-related activities. Key Points: ..Banks and intermediaries looking to provide distribution, dealing, and advisory...more
The HKMA’s discussion paper seeks feedback on its proposed regulatory approach to stablecoins, with responses due by 31 March 2022. On 12 January 2022, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Hong Kong’s principal...more
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has issued a Discussion Paper on Crypto-assets and Stablecoins in January 2022. The Discussion Paper includes guiding principles of a contemplated regulatory regime for payment-related...more
Regulators seek to address “rolling bad apples”, bank culture reform, and cryptocurrency derivatives. This blog post summarises key regulatory developments that took place in Hong Kong and Singapore in May 2020, as...more
The recent suspension of trading on Hong Kong based Bitcoin exchange Bitfinex following the apparent theft of approximately US$60m worth of bitcoins is the latest in a series of Bitcoin thefts. With Bitcoin still in its...more