Hash Blockchain Restricted (HBL), a member of the HashKey Group (HashKey), a blockchain asset monetary providers group in Asia, introduced right this moment it has acquired approval from the Securities and Futures Fee of Hong Kong (SFC) to function a digital asset buying and selling platform, beneath a Sort 1 (dealing in securities) license and a Sort 7 (automated buying and selling providers ATS license) for skilled traders.
With the SFC licenses, HashKey Group has now grow to be the world’s first digital asset group with digital asset licenses from the Hong Kong SFC, the Monetary Providers Company of Japan, and an exemption to function beneath the Fee Providers 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 providers for cryptocurrencies corresponding to bitcoin and ether, in addition to stablecoins, safety tokens, and extra.
In contrast to different unregulated crypto buying and selling platforms, HashKey PRO is designed to make sure there’s a excessive stage of shopper asset safety. Shopper property are segregated and held in custody by HashKey Custody Providers Restricted, which holds a Belief or Firm Service Supplier license in Hong Kong.
HBL’s license issuances come after a press release on October 31, 2022, by the town’s Monetary Providers and the Treasury Bureau, which outlined its imaginative and prescient and strategy to develop Hong Kong into a world 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 acquired the licenses given the backdrop of this constructive announcement. This allows us to supply regulated and compliant digital asset buying and selling providers as we proceed to assist construct the monetary, technological, and repair infrastructure to facilitate and contribute to the speedy progress and the long-term improvement 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 tips 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 companies are required to accomplice solely with SFC-licensed VATPs as a way to present digital asset dealing providers to their shoppers.
At Hong Kong FinTech Week 2022, the SFC additionally launched a Round on Digital Asset Futures Alternate 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 getting ready a round to set a modified safety token regime to deal with tokenized property in keeping with conventional property on a “similar enterprise, similar threat and similar guidelines” strategy.
