Virtual Asset Services in Hong Kong
Any person or entity carrying on a virtual asset service (VAS) in Hong Kong, must be licensed as a VASP by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The carrying on of any unlicensed activity is a criminal offense.
In accordance with Hong Kong regulation Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs) are licensed by the SFC and regulated under the framework introduced in 2019 for centralised VA trading platforms in Hong Kong which offer trading of at least one security token. Following the issuance of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill 2022 by the Legislative Council, as of 1st June 2023, a new licensing regime will take effect, upon commencement all centralised VATPs carrying on their businesses in Hong Kong or actively marketing their services to Hong Kong investors, will need to be licensed and regulated by the SFC, irrespective of whether they provide trading services in security tokens before commencing any virtual asset related business in Hong Kong.
Further to above, VATP platforms which do not fall within the scope of the transitional arrangements described below, must only carry on their businesses in Hong Kong or actively market their services to Hong Kong investors, after becoming formally licensed under the AMLO VASP regime.
Pre-existing virtual asset trading platforms
Note: the below transitional arrangements under the AMLO VASP regime only apply to non-security token by VATPs; there is no transitional arrangement for compliance with the SFC. VATP trading platforms which intend to offer trading in security token will be subject to Hong Kong securities laws and should only operate upon obtaining the relevant license from the SFC.
The SFC have established transitional arrangements which aim to provide reasonably sufficient time for Virtual Asset Trading Platforms operating in Hong Kong prior to 1st June 2023 with a meaningful and substantial presence, to either apply for a license or close down in an orderly manner. Subject to the conditions set out in Schedule 3G to the AMLO, Virtual Asset trading platforms who fall within the permit of the transitional arrangements may continue to operate in Hong Kong during the non-contravention period (1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024), and will be subject to deeming arrangements from the 1st June 2024.
In determining whether a firm falls within the scope of the transitional arrangements, (i.e., was operating in Hong Kong prior to 1st June 2023 and had a meaningful and substantial presence) the SFC will take into account the following:
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Whether the firm was incorporated in Hong Kong,
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Whether it has a physical office in Hong Kong,
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Whether the Hong Kong staff members manage and control the VATP,
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Whether key personnel are based in Hong Kong,
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Whether the centralised trading platform’s operation is live with a substantial number of clients and volume of trading activities in Hong Kong.
A VATP falling within the permit of the above arrangements which intends to apply for a license should note the following in preparation of the relevant application:
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In order for a pre-existing VATP to qualify for the deeming arrangements, it must submit a fully completed license application online under the AMLO VASP regime between 1 June 2023 and 29 February 2024.
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In the application the pre-existing VATP must demonstrate:
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It was operating in Hong Kong immediately before 1st June 2023,
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Upon licensing it will comply with the regulatory requirements applicable to a licensed platform operator and have arrangements in place to ensure the VATP complies with the regulatory requirements applicable.
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Upon review of the license application, if the SFC considers that the application of the VATP itself does not meet the necessary conditions or the VATP does not have a reasonable prospect of successfully showing that it is capable of complying with all the relevant legal and regulatory requirements, the SFC may issue a notice to the VATP to inform it that the deeming arrangements will not apply and the VATP must proceed to close down its business by 31st May 2024 or within three months from the issuance of the notice (whichever is later).
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If the SFC considers that the license application meets the deeming conditions, no notice will be issued and the VATP will automatically be deemed to be licensed from 1st June 2024 until the license application is approved, withdrawn or refused (whichever is earlier).
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Upon approval the VATP will be subject to the SFC’s supervisory, disciplinary, intervention and other applicable powers as well as the legal and regulatory requirements under the AMLO VASP regime as if they were formally licensed or approved.
Therefore, in accordance with above, by 1st June 2024 all VATPs in Hong Kong must have been granted a license or deemed to be licensed by the SFC otherwise it will be in breach of the AMLO regime and subject to enforcements action.
License Requirements & Applications
Requirements
Hong Kong incorporated companies having a permanent place of business in Hong Kong and overseas companies which are registered non-Hong Kong companies under the Companies Ordinance are eligible to apply for licensing as VASPs.
The proposed VATP Guidelines are based on the existing regulatory requirements, which include the following:
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Safe custody of assets: a platform operator should hold client virtual assets on trust through a wholly-owned subsidiary, ensuring that 2% or less of the client’s virtual assets are stored in hot wallets and safe management of the private keys. There should be established and implemented internal policies and governance procedures for private key management ensuring that all cryptographic seeds and keys are securely generated, stored and backed up. The platform operator should also have insurance in place to cover the risks associated with the custody of the client’s virtual assets.
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Know-your-client: the platform operator should take all reasonable steps to establish the identity of its clients, their full economic profile and confirmation that the client has sufficient knowledge of the virtual assets, including of their risks, before providing any such service.
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Anti-money laundering (AML) and combating terrorist financing (CFT): there should be adequate AML/ CFT policies, procedures and controls in place.
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Conflicts of Interest: there should be an adequate policy in place governing employees’ dealings in virtual assets to avoid, mitigate or disclose actual or potential conflicts of interest.
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Admission of VA for trading: there should be a designated function responsible for establishing, implementing and enforcing the criteria for admitting, halting and suspending (et cetera) a virtual asset, additionally due diligence should be conducted on all virtual assets, making certain all criteria is satisfied.
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Prevention of market abuse and manipulation: there should be established and implemented policies and controls in order to effectively identify, prevent and report manipulative or abusive trading activities on the platform, inclusive of controls to restrict or suspend trading.
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Accounting and auditing: auditors should be selected with due skill, care and diligence, considering their experience, track record and capability in authoring virtual asset related businesses and platform operators. Audits should be conducted annually as well as monthly reports to the SFC regarding its business activities within two weeks after the end of each calendar month and upon SFC request.
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Risk management: there should be a sound risk management framework in place in order to identify, monitor and mitigate any risks. The platform operator is also prohibited from providing any financial accommodation for clients to acquire virtual assets.
Capital Requirements
The platform operator must at all times maintain a paid-up share capital of at least HK $5,000,000.
Additionally, a platform operator must at all times maintain liquid capital which is not less than minimum liquid capital calculated in accordance with Part 4 of the Financial Resources Rules, the liquid capital will then be the higher of HK $3,000,000 and the basic amount defined in section 2 of the Financial Resources Rules.
In the event that capital falls below 120% of its required liquid capital or 50% below the liquid capital amount stated in the most recent return submitted to the SFC then the SFC must be notified as soon as possible and in any event within one business day of the platform operator becoming aware of the matter.
What Can FAI Comply do for Your Business?
We undertake the preparation and submission of applications to the SFC and provide post-submission support leading up to the granting of the license, which authorises companies to provide investment services in accordance to applicable laws and regulations.
Consulting on services, and design of the VATP/VASP structure
Preparation of the Application File
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Completion of the Application Form
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With input from you, where required, preparation of the applicant’s:
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Internal Operations and AML Manuals according to the law
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Business Plan
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Risk Management, Conflict of Interest and other policies and procedures.
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Assistance preparing shareholder, director and senior management Questionnaires and supporting documents
Application follow-up during the process of assessment