The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today convened the third meeting of the Digital Asset Consultative Panel (DACP), bringing together SFC-licensed virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) to discuss forthcoming regulatory developments for digital assets in Hong Kong. At the meeting, participants discussed initiatives aimed at strengthening the digital asset ecosystem, including regulatory measures to enhance liquidity on licensed VATPs and to expand the range of produ

This circular sets out the Securities and Futures Commission’s ( SFC ) regulatory approach and expected standards for SFC-licensed virtual asset trading platform operators ( Platform Operators ) to allow an affiliated company to engage in market making activities on their virtual asset trading platforms ( VATPs ). Background Liquidity on Hong Kong’s VATPs remains subdued at the current stage of digital asset market development. Under Pillar A (Access) of its ASPIRe roadmap,

On January 28, 2026, the Divisions of Corporation Finance, Investment Management, and Trading and Markets of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued a joint staff statement on tokenized securities (the “Statement”). The staff defines tokenized securities as traditional securities issued or represented as crypto assets on a blockchain and reiterated that existing U.S. federal securities laws apply regardless of whether a security is recorded traditional

Saxo Bank faces a DKK 313,000,000 (49.7 million) administrative fine from Denmark’s financial watchdog after supervisors flagged anti-money laundering weaknesses in its institutional operations. The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority issued the fine after finding that Saxo Bank breached its regulations between 2021 and 2023. “The administrative fine is based on the company's failure to comply with the requirements for obtaining information regarding the purpose and intend

The Tribunal agreed with the FCA that significant fines should be imposed, deciding that fines of £4m, £352,000 and £14,200 were appropriate for Rangecourt SA, Mr Rowland and Mr Bolelyy respectively. The Tribunal also upheld the FCA’s decision to ban Mr Rowland and Mr Bolelyy from working in financial services. Banque Havilland created a plan (initially titled ‘Setting fire to the neighbour’s house fund’) to harm the Qatari Riyal through manipulative trading strategies. The a

AUSTRAC has released its anti-money laundering program starter kits (kits), designed specifically to help small businesses in newly regulated sectors to meet their compliance obligations and manage ML/TF risks, while also reducing the time and cost of compliance.  From 1 July, businesses providing certain  designated services  commonly provided by lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, conveyancers and jewellers will have obligations under the AML/CTF Act.  The kits set ou

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA.  Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on the HKMA website . Bank Type of Scam The Bank of East Asia, Limited Fraudulent website and internet banking login screen Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited Fraudul

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 3) detected a case involving a local company that conducted transactions of jewellery valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. The owner of the company was arrested. The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail. According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who

The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) today set forth in a circular highly concerning issues related to serious deficiencies in the preparation of some listing documents, sponsors’ potential misconduct and significant mismanagement of resources amidst a surge in new listing applications in 2025 (Note 1).   In reviewing recent listing applications, the SFC and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (SEHK) identified a number of serious deficiencies in the preparation o