cryptocurrency

Hong Kong May Soon Regulate Cryptocurrency Exchanges


Hong Kong May Soon Regulate Cryptocurrency Exchanges

The cryptocurrency exchange sector in Hong Kong may soon see an upheaval, as the city’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) explores various aspects of regulating the myriad of cryptocurrency trading bourses operating in the city, reported South China Morning Post on Oct. 15.

Hong Kong Exploring Digital Assets

Outgoing chairman Carlson Tong Ka-Shing cites investor protection as the primary reason of the agency’s move. However, he expresses concerns that the SFC is limited to regulating only classified financial securities – meaning the rising asset class would first have to be recognized as a security by the HK government. Also, the regulatory approach towards the technology may need careful consideration from the authorities, as the innovation “may not be security at all.”

Hong Kong Vies to Become Blockchain Center with Expedited Skilled Migrant Process
Related: Hong Kong Vies to Become Blockchain Center with Expedited Skilled Migrant Process

Ka-Shing believes a blanket ban is not the answer to mitigating money laundering and investor protection concerns, as today’s “internet world” easily facilitates the transfer of data and accessibility to global platforms in case a particular jurisdiction places restrictions. Speaking about crypto-trading in particular, he notes transactions can be “easily conducted” in overseas bourses if a ban is enacted.

The cryptocurrency exchange market has grown from the fringes of Bitcoin trading to a significant sector in 2018. Billions of dollars are traded daily on 217 crypto-exchanges listed on CoinMarketCap, with a mammoth $4.6 billion handled by the world’s top five crypto-exchanges. Despite their success, exchanges remain a single-point-of-failure; threatening billions of dollars on the line and running without any globally-recognized framework to govern operations, maintenance, and security.

The SFC has issued numerous warnings both crypto-investors and exchanges in the city, warning them of risks involved in trading digital assets and legal action if the business does not comply with SFC regulations respectively.

However, after the rise of cryptocurrency trading as a serious contender to the traditional finance market – crypto hedge and ventures funds account for 20 percent of all fund openings in 2018 – the watchdog looks towards introducing formal cryptocurrency regulations to govern the sector.

Because of the uncertainty, Ka-Shing notes cryptocurrencies do not fit in the SFC’s valuation, audit, and custodian requirements as legally expected. He adds:

“No other international market currently has a comprehensive regulation framework for these cryptocurrency platforms. We need to see if and how these platforms can be regulated to a standard that is comparable to that of a licensed trading venue, while at the same time ensuring investors interest are being protected.”

Crypto-Businesses Welcome Move

Ka-Shing’s comments have been taken well by crypto-finance businesses operating in the city. Angelina Kwan, the chief operating officer of BitMEX,  welcomed the sentiment and expressed the bourse would work closely with SFC regulations.

Crypto-Exchange Huobi May Go Public on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Related: Crypto Exchange Huobi May Go Public on Hong Kong Stock Exchange

She added the business “hopes” regulations are drafted with the fast-paced developments in the broader cryptocurrency market, and referenced U.S. laws for CBOE- and CME-traded Bitcoin Futures as evidence of a regulatory authority shaping an industry.

In a similar vein, Jeremy Allaire, the founder of U.S.-based crypto-finance company Circle, stated his Hong Kong operation recently launched over-the-counter (OTC) trading for cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ether but is aware of the non-regulated, grey market area the product operates in. Allaire stated:

“Since we started the company, we have committed to collaborating with governments. We want to ensure the long-term potential of the digital asset industry.”

Cover Photo by Jimmy Chan on Pexels

Disclaimer: Our writers’ opinions are solely their own and do not reflect the opinion of CryptoSlate. None of the information you read on CryptoSlate should be taken as investment advice, nor does CryptoSlate endorse any project that may be mentioned or linked to in this article. Buying and trading cryptocurrencies should be considered a high-risk activity. Please do your own due diligence before taking any action related to content within this article. Finally, CryptoSlate takes no responsibility should you lose money trading cryptocurrencies.

Did you like this article? Join us.

Get blockchain news and crypto insights.

Join Us on Telegram

Shaurya Malwa

Post-mining his first bitcoins in 2012, there was no looking back for Shaurya Malwa. After graduating in business from the University of Wolverhampton, Shaurya ventured straight into the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain. Using a hard-hitting approach to article writing and crypto-trading, he finds his true self in the world of decentralized ideologies. When not writing, Shaurya builds his culinary skills and trades the big three cryptocurrencies.

View author profile





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.