Hash Blockchain Restricted (HBL), a member of the HashKey Group (HashKey), a blockchain asset monetary companies group in Asia, introduced right now it has obtained approval from the Securities and Futures Fee of Hong Kong (SFC) to function a digital asset buying and selling platform, below a Sort 1 (dealing in securities) license and a Sort 7 (automated buying and selling companies ATS license) for skilled traders.
With the SFC licenses, HashKey Group has now change into the world’s first digital asset group with digital asset licenses from the Hong Kong SFC, the Monetary Companies Company of Japan, and an exemption to function below the Cost Companies Act from the Financial Authority of Singapore.
Buying and selling with HashKey
HashKey PRO is the identify of HBL’s institutional-grade crypto asset buying and selling platform. HashKey PRO will present skilled traders with automated buying and selling companies for cryptocurrencies similar to bitcoin and ether, in addition to stablecoins, safety tokens, and extra.
Not like different unregulated crypto buying and selling platforms, HashKey PRO is designed to make sure there’s a excessive degree of shopper asset safety. Consumer property are segregated and held in custody by HashKey Custody Companies Restricted, which holds a Belief or Firm Service Supplier license in Hong Kong.
HBL’s license issuances come after an announcement on October 31, 2022, by the town’s Monetary Companies and the Treasury Bureau, which outlined its imaginative and prescient and strategy to develop Hong Kong into a global digital property hub.
“The current coverage assertion is a testomony to the Hong Kong authorities’s dedication and dedication to fortify the town’s standing as a frontrunner and chief in blockchain and digital asset innovation and regulation. We’re delighted to have obtained the licenses given the backdrop of this optimistic announcement. This permits us to offer regulated and compliant digital asset buying and selling companies as we proceed to assist construct the monetary, technological, and repair infrastructure to facilitate and contribute to the fast progress and the long-term growth of the ecosystem.”– Michel Lee, Government President of HashKey Group
Regulation Background
In 2022, the Hong Kong authorities and regulators have been setting out new pointers and a licensing framework to control digital asset buying and selling actions within the curiosity of client and investor safety.
A joint round announcement was issued by the SFC and the Hong Kong Financial Authority on January 28 2022 stating that registered establishments and licensed firms are required to companion solely with SFC-licensed VATPs with the intention to present digital asset dealing companies to their shoppers.
At Hong Kong FinTech Week 2022, the SFC additionally launched a Round on Digital Asset Futures Trade Traded Funds, stating that the SFC will begin accepting functions for the authorization of such funds. The SFC has began reviewing the “skilled investor solely” requirement relevant to the funding of digital asset merchandise and is making ready a round to set a modified safety token regime to deal with tokenized property in step with conventional property on a “similar enterprise, similar threat and similar guidelines” strategy.
