Hong Kong

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The SFC issued a statement to clarify its regulatory approach in relation to non-fungible tokens and remind investors of related risks.

By Simon Hawkins, Farhana Sharmeen, Adrian Fong, Gen Huong Tan and Shirley Wong

On 6 June 2022, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a statement drawing attention to the risks associated with investing in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and summarising the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to NFTs.

This follows recent guidance from Hong Kong’s banking, securities, and insurance regulators to financial institutions looking to undertake virtual asset activities (see Latham’s Client Alert Hong Kong’s New Crypto Regulatory Framework to Facilitate Greater Institutional Participation). Together, the statement and guidance demonstrate that the regulators are continuing to look closely at the digital asset space.

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission introduces new licensing regime to regulate previously unregulated markets and restates expectations regarding security token offerings.

By Simon Hawkins, Kieran Donovan, and Kenneth Y.F. Hui

The second day of Hong Kong Fintech Week again brought together regulators and market participants from across the fintech industry for a range of insightful discussions.

Ashley Alder, Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), delivered the day’s biggest headline in his keynote speech, announcing that the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau (FSTB) would be issuing a consultation paper proposing a new licensing regime for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), effectively creating a legal framework that brings previously unregulated activities within the SFC’s regulatory perimeter. (Further analysis is available in Latham’s Client Alert on the proposed framework.)

The HKMA introduces a new data sharing initiative, reported on the central bank digital currency initiative, and outlined regtech plans.

 By Simon Hawkins, Kieran Donovan, and Kenneth Y.F. Hui

The fifth annual Hong Kong Fintech Week conference kicked off with speeches and panels from both Hong Kong and international regulatory representatives, in addition to key market players. Topics explored ranged from the impact and complications of technology and big data to notable technological trends that have emerged as a result of the pandemic.

SFC outlines new regulatory framework for virtual asset trading platforms, HKMA highlights recent FinTech initiatives, and PBOC discusses China’s forthcoming central bank digital currency.

By Simon Hawkins and Kenneth Y.F. Hui

The fourth annual Hong Kong FinTech Week conference kicked off with a major announcement from Mr. Ashley Alder, Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), who introduced a new, formalized regulatory framework for virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs). A panel of central bankers also discussed stablecoins and central bank digital currencies, including the People’s Bank of China’s (PBoC) forthcoming central bank digital currency, referred to as the digital currency / electronic payment (DCEP) coin.

If adopted efficiently, the PCPD’s Ethical Accountability Framework should help organizations to demonstrate and enhance trust with individuals.

By Kieran Donovan

In October, 2018, Hong Kong’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) presented the findings of an inquiry into the ethics of data processing, commissioned by the PCPD with the help of the Information Accountability Foundation (IAF). The result of the inquiry, published as the Ethical Accountability Framework, provides an “instruction manual” for processing data in an ethical and accountable manner.

Following on the heels of the PCPD’s report, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) issued a Circular titled Use of Personal Data in Fintech Development, encouraging authorized institutions (AIs) to adopt the PCPD’s Ethical Accountability Framework.

The HKMA has issued three virtual banking licenses as part of its broader initiatives to develop the local banking industry.

By Simon Hawkins and Kenneth Hui

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) recently announced the issuance of the first virtual banking licenses to three entities.

Virtual banks in Hong Kong are banks that primarily deliver retail banking services through the internet or other electronic channels, instead of through physical branches.

The HKMA previously issued a press release on 7 December 2018 announcing that there had been around 30 virtual banking applications as of the end of August 2018, and the HKMA had shortlisted a third of the applications for the next stage of assessment.

The SFC’s guidance provides helpful clarity amidst growing interest in security token offerings.

By Simon Hawkins and Kenneth Hui

On 28 March 2019, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a policy statement on security token offerings (STOs) summarizing the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to parties engaging in STOs. This guidance follows the SFC’s 5 September 2017 policy statement on initial coin offerings (ICOs).

STOs typically refer to specific offerings which are structured to have features of traditional securities offerings, and involving security tokens that are digital representations of ownership of assets (e.g., gold or real estate) or economic rights (e.g., a share of profits or revenue) using blockchain technology.