The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("HKEx") and the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") have announced temporary changes to the Hong Kong Listing Rules regarding the minimum initial market capitalization of...more
The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)1 was launched on 1 March 2024 aiming to attract high net worth investors (including foreign and Chinese nationals) to reside in Hong Kong with a permanent residency status...more
Hong Kong regulators recently brought criminal enforcement actions against virtual asset trading platform JPEX and individuals associated with the platform. This case has become the first opportunity for local authorities to...more
Revamped SFC and HKMA guidance applies to intermediaries that distribute products or provide dealing, advisory, and asset management services related to virtual assets. On 20 October 2023, the Hong Kong Monetary...more
On 8 August 2023, the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC) published its consultation conclusions on proposed amendments to enforcement-related provisions of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571) of...more
The HKMA and the SFC permit relaxation of suitability and other regulatory requirements while dealing with high-net-worth and experienced investors. On 28 July 2023, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the...more
In our previous alert, we provided an overview of the new Dual Licensing Regime and highlighted the consequences of relevant breaches of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), as amended...more
查看中文 - This January 2023 update provides an overview of key regulatory developments in the past three months relevant to companies listed, or planning to list, on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx) and their...more
Overview of the latest capital market trends in Hong Kong - In line with global trends, fundraising activity slowed markedly in Hong Kong during the first half of 2022. Total proceeds raised from such activity decreased by...more
The SFC issued a statement to clarify its regulatory approach in relation to non-fungible tokens and remind investors of related risks. On 6 June 2022, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a...more
The “SPAC”-ulation is over! On September 17, 2021, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the Stock Exchange) issued a much anticipated consultation paper on Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). It is...more
Regulators consult on an investor identification regime and outsourcing requirements, and issue guidance on electronic storage of regulatory records and environmental risk management - This blog post summarises key...more
In recent years, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has increasingly focused on private equity funds’ obligation to be licensed under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO). In February 2019, the SFC’s...more
In light of an increasing demand for virtual asset investment products, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has been taking steps to clarify the legal and regulatory requirements for this market. In this...more
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has announced that it reprimanded and fined a Hong Kong private equity firm, SEAVI Advent Ocean Private Equity Limited (PE Firm), for employing or appointing unlicensed...more
On 30 October 2018, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (MA) issued guidance on enhanced investor protection measures on the sale and distribution of debt instruments with loss-absorption features and related products...more
Background - The Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”) has recently published the much anticipated conclusions (“Consultation Conclusions”) to the Consultation Paper on the Proposed Guidelines on Online Distribution...more
• The rapid proliferation of technological advancements in global financial markets has caused regulators in several countries to increase their scrutiny of investments in, and implications of, cryptocurrencies. • This...more
• The SFC has identified nine common areas of non-compliance in managing funds and discretionary accounts. • The SFC urged licensed corporations to review their existing internal control procedures and operational...more
Since January 2017, more than $2 billion has been raised through the rapidly growing market for so-called “token sales” or “initial coin offerings” (ICOs). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on July...more
Key Points - - Clarification and new guidance relating to suitability obligations under the Code of Conduct. - Outlines the regulatory obligations of licensed or registered persons....more
Following the official launch of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect ("Shanghai Connect") on 17 November 2014, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") and the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC")...more
The SFC published the “Circular to management companies of SFC-authorized funds on liquidity risk management” dated July 4, 2016 (the “Circular”), designed to provide guidance to the management companies (each a “Fund...more
According to the joint announcement of the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CSRC") and the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong ("SFC") dated 16 August 2016, the two regulatory authorities have approved, in...more
What is crowd-funding? “Crowd-funding” is an umbrella term describing the use of small amounts of money, obtained from a large number of individuals or organisations, to fund a project, a business or personal loan, and...more