On 23 May 2023, the Securities and Futures Commission (the SFC) published its much anticipated consultation conclusions (the Consultation Conclusions) on the proposed regulatory requirements for virtual asset (VA) trading platform operators (Platform Operators). The new licensing regime for Platform Operators under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO) will come into effect on … Continue Reading
On 23 May 2023, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a consultation report containing 18 proposed recommendations intended to help IOSCO members apply IOSCO’s Objectives and Principles for Securities Regulation and relevant supporting IOSCO standards, recommendations and good practices to crypto-asset activities within their jurisdictions. The proposed recommendations cover six key areas: The … Continue Reading
Introduction In a landmark decision on the legal status of digital assets in Hong Kong handed down on 31 March 2023, the Court of First Instance, in Re Gatecoin Limited[1], has ruled that cryptocurrencies satisfy the definition of “property” under Hong Kong law and are capable of being held on trust. The case arose in connection … Continue Reading