Hong Kong virtual asset regimes secure strong industry backing
Tech Hong Kong virtual asset regimes secure strong industry backing Hong Kongs top finance bodies have published consultation conclusions on their proposed licensing regimes to govern virtual asset advisory and virtual asset management services under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AML/CFT). The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)—the government bureau that oversees policies for financial services, taxation, and public finance, and the independent regulator that supervises Hong Kongs securities and futures markets, respectively—published this week their consultation conclusions on the legislative proposal to regulate virtual asset advisory and management service providers in Hong Kong. According to the two authorities, the consultation, which was launched on June 27, 2025, received “broad market support” for the proposed regimes, which aim to strengthen risk management and investor protection, “while promoting responsible financial innovation in the development of Hong Kong as a premier global hub for digital assets.” The consultation received a total of 51 responses from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, with respondents reportedly agreeing that the framework should follow a “same business, same risks, same rules” principle. Specifically, for virtual asset dealers, the regimes will closely align with those for securities dealers, while for custodians, the new regimes









