! ! ! Hong Kong has started to provide Bitcoin trading services! ! !

Many Hong Kong brokerages have started to provide Bitcoin trading services.

At present, brokerages such as Victory Securities, Tiger Securities, and Interactive Brokers have launched corresponding services.

On June 12, 2024, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission held a briefing to explain its regulatory requirements to those who apply for virtual asset trading platform qualifications after June 1. It is reported that on June 1, the transition period of the licensing system for virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong officially ended. After that, all virtual asset trading platforms operating in Hong Kong must obtain a license from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission.

At present, only two virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong have obtained licenses. These two platforms are: OSL Digital Securities Co., Ltd. and Hash Blockchain Limited. In addition, there are 11 virtual asset trading platform applicants in Hong Kong who are queuing up to apply for qualifications.

Virtual assets are recognized in Hong Kong, and some Hong Kong brokerages are also allowed to directly provide virtual asset trading and consulting services to retail investors, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The transaction threshold starts at $100.

The reporter noticed on the official website of a Hong Kong brokerage that investors need to open a virtual asset account to trade virtual assets such as Bitcoin on the brokerage APP. There are certain steps to open virtual assets, including completing the opening of a personal securities account or a company securities account; after the securities account is opened, fill in and sign the following 4 documents in electronic or paper forms: Supplementary Agreement for Virtual Asset Trading, Supplementary Risk Disclosure Statement for Virtual Assets, Risk Tolerance Questionnaire, and Virtual Asset Knowledge and Experience Questionnaire.

It is reported that brokerages have set a low entry threshold for virtual asset transactions, starting at $100, and investors can easily get started in virtual asset transactions. Investors can directly invest in virtual asset spot trading (VA Spot Trading), virtual asset-related virtual asset futures exchange-traded funds ("VA Futures ETF") and private equity funds ("VA funds") through the brokerage APP.

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