Search Results for: HashKey

Asian digital asset exchange, HashKey, has gained regulatory clearance to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum trading services in Hong Kong. However, retail customers will be limited to 30% of their total digital portfolio for safeguarding interest and reducing risk exposure.

HashKey, a crypto exchange, has become the first digital asset entity in Hong Kong to secure a license under the new cryptographic licensing regime. This allows the platform to serve not only professional investors but also retail users, allowing them to trade specific “large-cap tokens”. This progress places Hong Kong as a central player in digital transformation in Asia.

Hong Kong’s Hashkey Exchange has obtained the city’s first license for catering to retail customers under new cryptocurrency regulations, marking a milestone for cryptocurrency trade. The Exchange’s expansion now includes professional and retail users, enhancing user experience and prioritizing transaction safety.

Hong Kong authorities detained 12 individuals linked to the JPEX cryptocurrency exchange scam, seizing $9.8 million in digital currency among other assets. The incident has thrown a spotlight on regulatory actions, raising concerns about the readiness of security and regulatory firms to tackle such scams, emphasising the importance of “transparent and clear” information from crypto firms to investors, and the need for robust security measures to protect users’ interests. Only two trading services in Hong Kong have successfully acquired the license to operate as retail cryptocurrency trading.

“Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX, faces fraud charges relating to his tenures at FTX and Alameda Research. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Hashkey becomes the first to receive a retail crypto license, with trading restricted to professional investors. Blockchain’s future balances advancement and skepticism.”

OKX, a digital asset exchange, seeks to acquire a Virtual Asset Service Provider License (VASP) amid Hong Kong’s crypto-friendly environment. With full licenses already granted to HashKey and OSL, OKX intends to onboard 100,000 to 200,000 users in its initial year of trading services. The city’s progressive stance toward crypto could position it as a “test net” for mainland China following China’s total crypto ban.

Stronghold Digital Mining, a US-based company, is seeking approval to utilize Tire Derived Fuel (TDF), an unconventional energy source involving shredded tires, for crypto mining. This proposal raises questions on the environmental implications tied to crypto mining and sparks debates about the crypto industry’s path toward sustainability.

SEBA Bank’s Hong Kong arm gained preliminary approval from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to operate virtual asset services. However, the future of the crypto ban in mainland China remains uncertain. This development presents significant opportunities in Hong Kong’s digital asset regulatory framework and potential access to the Chinese market.

“In Hong Kong, platforms HashKey and OSL have obtained licenses to offer Bitcoin and Ether retail trading. This marks a first for crypto exchanges in the area, albeit with restrictions on investment amounts. However, the lack of diverse investment products and potential compliance issues might inhibit the crypto industry’s growth. The necessity of regulations yet the need for market independence spark discussion on the future of crypto.”

Bitstamp calls an end to staking services in the U.S., driven by the country’s stringent regulatory landscape. Conversely, the ether Liquid Staking Derivatives market shows potential for growth, expecting to grow to $24 billion in two years, highlighting the contrasting effect of regulatory environments on cryptocurrency ventures.

HKVAX, a Hong Kong-based Virtual Asset Exchange, has received ‘approval in principle’ from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission to operate their asset trading platform under local securities laws. This includes providing a digital asset trading platform dealing with securities and delivering automated trading services to both institute investors and retail users. This approval comes as regulators form a new licensing system for virtual asset service providers to protect investors.

“Hong Kong has begun issuing licenses to crypto companies like OSL and HashKey under new rules, expanding the city’s crypto market past professional traders. Despite interest from over 80 companies, skepticism and the complexities of adequately addressing domains like non-fungible tokens and decentralized finance hinder significant financial commitment and decisive investments.”

Hong Kong’s SFC warned against unlicensed virtual asset trading platforms’ criminal activities. False licensing claims could incur serious legal repercussions. The legal regime requires crypto providers to maintain custody and comply with KYC, AML, and Terrorism Financing rules, ensuring safe digital asset trading for residents.

Hong Kong’s new virtual asset trading platform licensing regime could cost crypto platforms up to $20 million, potentially pushing smaller market players out of the race. However, it may benefit larger players like Hex Trust, which meet the required criteria. The regime is part of Hong Kong’s effort to become a digital asset hub, inviting global exchanges to apply for licenses. Critics, though, suggest the system’s complex requirements may be challenging.

“Hong Kong is striving to become a leading crypto hub, aiming to integrate its virtual asset platforms with Shanghai’s. As part of this development, they’ve established a robust regulatory framework for cryptocurrency exchanges, fostering an environment of diverse investment opportunities. This shift poses a likely harmonization between China’s cautious approach and Hong Kong’s liberal views on blockchain technology.”