Hong Kong Securities Industry Group Opposes Tightening Crypto Asset Management License Rules

GateNews
BTC-0,13%

Odaily Planet Daily News: The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Professionals Association (HKSFPA) has submitted comments to regulators regarding Hong Kong’s proposed digital asset management regulatory framework, opposing several tightening measures.

HKSFPA mainly opposes the removal of the current “de minimis” arrangement. Under the current rules, institutions holding a Type 9 license (Asset Management) can, after reporting to regulators, allocate up to 10% of their total fund assets into cryptocurrencies without needing an additional virtual asset management license. The proposed plan aims to eliminate this limit, meaning even allocating just 1% to Bitcoin would require a full virtual asset management license.

HKSFPA pointed out that the “all-or-nothing” regulatory approach is disproportionate and could lead to significant compliance costs with limited risk exposure, potentially discouraging traditional asset management firms from entering the crypto space.

Additionally, HKSFPA objected to the proposed custody requirements. The relevant proposal mandates that virtual asset managers can only use licensed custodians registered with the SFC for asset custody. The association stated that this requirement is impractical in early-stage token investments and Web3 venture capital, and could restrict local Hong Kong institutions from engaging in related activities.

At the same time, HKSFPA expressed support for allowing self-custody and the use of qualified offshore custodians when serving professional investors.

Reports indicate that the above regulatory suggestions are now in the implementation stage. Hong Kong authorities have previously released a consultation summary on the related plans and are conducting a new round of consultation on licensing systems for crypto trading, advisory, and management services. (The Block)

Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to Disclaimer.

Related Articles

Strive Acquires 789 Bitcoin for $61.43M, Total Holdings Reach 14,557 BTC

Gate News message, April 27 — Strive purchased 789 Bitcoin for $61.43 million, with an average cost of $77,890 per BTC, according to a post by CEO Matt Cole on X. The institution now holds a total of 14,557 Bitcoin as of 2026. The acquisition adds to Strive's existing Bitcoin reserves,

GateNews38m ago

Tether Launches Mining Development Kit (MDK), Open-Source Framework for Bitcoin Miners

Gate News message, April 27 — Tether announced the launch of Mining Development Kit (MDK), an open-source, full-stack development framework designed to provide unified control over the entire infrastructure stack for Bitcoin miners and developers. MDK features an open modular architecture with

GateNews44m ago

Bitcoin Reserve Company OranjeBTC Adds 2 BTC to Holdings, Cumulative Position Reaches 3,725 BTC

Gate News message, April 27 — Bitcoin reserve company OranjeBTC announced the purchase of 2 BTC at an average price of approximately $77,491 per coin, spending roughly $155,000, according to the company's official statement. The company's cumulative Bitcoin holdings now stand at 3,725 BTC with a to

GateNews48m ago

Strategy Acquires 3,273 Bitcoin for $255M, Total Holdings Reach 818,334 BTC

Gate News message, April 27 — Strategy acquired an additional 3,273 BTC for approximately $255 million at an average price of $77,906 per bitcoin between April 20 and April 26, according to an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Strategy now holds a total of 818,334 BTC worth ar

GateNews54m ago

Bitcoin Could Hit $150K–$160K by Late 2026: Van de Poppe Analysis

Crypto analyst Michael van de Poppe believes Bitcoin could reach new all-time highs between $150,000 and $160,000 by late 2026, according to his recent analysis. Bitcoin recently hit a 12-week high, experienced a pullback, and is now attempting to reclaim the $80,000 level after dropping

CryptoFrontier1h ago
Comment
0/400
No comments