#HongKongPlansNewVAGuidelines

Hong Kong is preparing new regulatory guidelines and licensing frameworks for virtual assets (VAs) to strengthen oversight and position the city as a leading global digital asset hub.
Key Developments:
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) are introducing licensing requirements for VA trading, custody services, advisory services, and asset management. This extends regulation to over-the-counter trading desks and firms that hold or advise on digital assets.
The proposals are expected to be submitted to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council in 2026, closing gaps in the current framework and bringing more of the crypto ecosystem under formal compliance.
This initiative follows earlier steps like the VA trading platform licence regime and planned stablecoin licensing, reflecting a phased approach toward a comprehensive digital asset regulatory system.
Why it matters:
The updated guidelines aim to protect investors while promoting market development. By regulating dealers, custodians, advisors, and managers, Hong Kong seeks to attract institutional capital and ensure robust standards for security, transparency, and anti-money laundering compliance.
This marks a significant step in making Hong Kong a safer and more attractive hub for digital asset investment.