Experts: New Crypto Rules Position Hong Kong as China’s ‘Testing Ground’

Hong Kong's new crypto regulations, which allow retail investors to invest in tokens, may be a precursor to similar regulations in mainland China.

Hong Kong is actively positioning itself as a key crypto hub in the region by reopening trading to retail investors. New crypto rules in China could facilitate adoption, challenging the country’s historical anti-crypto stance. The regulatory requirements for virtual asset trading platforms will mandate “suitable” onboarding processes, disclosures, and more. Additionally, tokens traded on these platforms will have to meet a “minimum criteria” to safeguard retail investors against market manipulation.

Milestone for Hong Kong’s Virtual Assets Industry

Lennix Lai, CCO of OKX, a Hong Kong-based company, expressed his welcome and appreciation for the Securities and Futures Commission’s (SFC) decision to allow virtual asset trading by retail investors in Hong Kong. This milestone is significant for Hong Kong’s virtual assets industry, poised for further growth and development. Bitcoin and Ethereum are likely to meet listing criteria, but lower-cap tokens may face more uncertainty.

Only two crypto firms have obtained licenses from the SFC, and the guidelines will be effective from June 1, 2023. Lennix Lai, CCO of OKX, praised positive adjustments in the final regulations, like removing the legal opinion requirement.

As Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region under China’s control, experts suggest that the latest crypto rule change could also open the door for the reintroduction of cryptocurrencies in mainland China, where they were effectively banned in 2017.

Flowdesk’s Perspective on China’s Shift in Digital Assets

Anne-Sophie Cissey, Flowdesk’s head of legal and compliance, stated that this aligns with Hong Kong’s traditional role since its handover to the People’s Republic of China in 1997 and the implementation of the “one country, two systems” model.

Flowdesk, a company with offices in Paris and Singapore, provides trading infrastructure for market-making and other crypto-financial services.

Cissey, head of legal and compliance at Flowdesk, considers China’s shift in thinking on digital assets as a significant development following the country’s longstanding ban. Authoritarian regimes often oppose decentralization and transparency, key principles of blockchain technology, according to Cissey. Hong Kong’s crypto-friendly approach may indicate that Beijing is using it as an experimental zone.

A Return to the Digital Currency Frontier

These recent developments have the potential to restore Hong Kong’s status as a prominent crypto hub in the region. The introduction of the extradition bill and the ensuing riots had a negative impact on Hong Kong’s crypto aspirations. The government eventually withdrew the bill.

Anne-Sophie Cissey believes that the crackdown on Hong Kong’s democracy during the pandemic diminished its business appeal. Hong Kong’s business environment suffered setbacks, leading major banks and financial institutions to relocate or scale down. Banks and financial institutions have scaled down or relocated operations due to concerns about mainland China’s interference.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risks and may result in the loss of your capital. You should carefully consider whether trading cryptocurrencies is right for you in light of your financial condition and ability to bear financial risks. Cryptocurrency prices are highly volatile and can fluctuate widely in a short period of time. As such, trading cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for everyone. Additionally, storing cryptocurrencies on a centralized exchange carries inherent risks, including the potential for loss due to hacking, exchange collapse, or other security breaches. We strongly advise that you seek independent professional advice before engaging in any cryptocurrency trading activities and carefully consider the security measures in place when choosing or storing your cryptocurrencies on a cryptocurrency exchange.

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Kassidy Florette
Kassidy followed her friends to buy her first Bitcoin in 2015, has been participating in various projects since 2019 as a marketing communication lead. Her knowledge and passion brings her in as a contributor.