Hong Kong to Consider Retail Access to Spot Crypto ETFs

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is weighing allowing retail investors access to spot crypto-ETF. In an interview Bloomberg quoted the agency’s head, Julia Leung.

The official cited an interest in ‘offers using innovative technologies that improve efficiency and the quality of client service’.

‘We would be happy to implement this once the risks are mitigated. Our approach is consistent regardless of the asset,’ she said.

In October, SFC обновила свое руководство по деятельности VASP, расширив круг инвесторов для участия в крипто-ETF.

The regulator requires organisations to assess clients using a knowledge test of virtual assets before they can begin trading. Institutional and corporate investors are exempt from such checks.

Hong Kong currently lists three exchange-traded funds based on cryptocurrency futures — Samsung Bitcoin Futures Active ETF, CSOP Bitcoin Futures ETF and CSOP Ether Futures ETF.

HashKey, licensed by the SFC, launched trading of Bitcoin and Ethereum for the general public in August 2023.

Earlier, applications were filed by Bitcoin exchanges Huobi, OKX and OSL.