Hong Kong regulation of crypto-related investments
Journal of Investment Compliance
ISSN: 1528-5812
Article publication date: 18 October 2019
Issue publication date: 3 December 2019
Abstract
Purpose
To provide an overview of the Hong Kong regulatory regime for crypto-related investment products.
Design/methodology/approach
Describes the existing regulatory regime in Hong Kong for crypto-related investment products prior to November 2018 and, following circulars issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in November 2018, regulatory standards relating to virtual asset portfolio managers and fund distributors and a conceptual framework for potential regulation of virtual asset trading platform operators. Discusses the implications of the regulatory standards and conceptual framework.
Findings
The regulatory standards have aligned the requirements relating to crypto-related securities and futures contracts with those for crypto-related assets that do not fall within such definitions. The opt-in approach under the conceptual framework demonstrates that the SFC is actively trying to learn about the operations of platform operators and develop appropriate regulations accordingly.
Originality/value
Practical guidance from experienced lawyer with expertise in fund formation, fund investments and retail fund registration
Keywords
Citation
Wong, M. (2019), "Hong Kong regulation of crypto-related investments", Journal of Investment Compliance, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 45-50. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOIC-08-2019-0050
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Dechert LLP.