Hong Kong

Crypto / Digital Assets

Value Partners, VSFG Partnering to Launch Spot Bitcoin ETF

By Editors | 24/01/2024

Value Partners Hong Kong and Venture Smart Financial Holdings have signed an MoU to collaborate on the launch of a spot Bitcoin ETF in Hong Kong this year.

Market Infrastructure

Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia Agree to Deepen Financial Market Connectivity

By Editors | 24/01/2024

The MoU covers collaboration to support capital market connectivity, conduct joint research, and enhance cross-border investments, among other areas.

AML / KYC

HKMA Proposes to Extend FINEST to Personal Account Data

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/01/2024

The HKMA is seeking to extend FINEST, a bank-to-bank information sharing platform launched in June, to allow sharing of personal account information.

ESG / Sustainability

Hong Kong SFC Outlines Strategic Priorities for 2024-2026

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/01/2024

The SFC will explore potential connect initiatives with other markets, embrace tokenisation of traditional products, and introduce AI in its workflows.

Crypto / Digital Assets

HK’s Stablecoins Regime to Streamline Cross-border Transactions

By Nithya Subramanian | 24/01/2024

Consistent regulatory approach globally and technical standardisations across different blockchains will be key to widespread adoption of stablecoins.

Securities / Derivatives

SFC to Review Brokers’ Internal Controls Next Month

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 24/01/2024

The circularisation exercise and internal control review will help to identify potential misconduct such as misappropriation of client assets.

Fintech / Regtech

HKMA to Bolster Bank Supervision With Social Media Monitoring Tool

By Manesh Samtani | 23/01/2024

The planned solution will be able to extract data from social media and websites and use NLP to analyse market sentiment and risks associated with banks.

Fintech / Regtech

Hong Kong to Phase Out Cheques Amid Digital Payments Boom

By Mark Johnston | 23/01/2024

The Hong Kong Association of Banks will set up a task force to explore options for encouraging cheque users to shift to digital payments.

AML / KYC

HKMA Calls on Banks to Join SMS Sender Registration Scheme

By Editors | 23/01/2024

28 banks in Hong Kong have already registered, completed testing, and will begin using Sender IDs from 28 January 2024.