Major crypto exchanges like OKX, Gate.iо, KuCoin, Binance, and HTX are withdrawing their Hong Kong licence applications due to strict regulations, high compliance costs and inability to serve mainland Chinese investors under the local license.

There are now 18 VATP applicants left on the SFC’s official list including Crypto.cоm, Bullish and Bybit.

Only HashKey Exchange and OSL have been approved to serve retail investors in Hong Kong.