Over the previous three years, the incidences of digital asset-related crimes in Hong Kong have considerably elevated. The circumstances reported amounted to 1,397, 2,336, and three,415, involving HKD 824 million, HKD 1.704 billion, and HKD 4.398 billion, respectively, almost tripling throughout this era.
Regulation enforcement has gathered particular statistics for particular person circumstances per the report concerning arrests and authorized proceedings. For instance, within the JPEX case, as of February 20, 70 people had been apprehended, with no formal prices filed in opposition to them but.
Hong Kong’s Lists Suspicious Buying and selling Platforms
In line with a press release by Christopher Hui, the Secretary for Monetary Companies and the Treasury of Hong Kong, in response to a question from a legislator, the Securities and Futures Fee (SFC) has intensified its info disclosure efforts since September final yr.
The efforts embrace publishing intensive info concerning digital asset buying and selling platforms, similar to a “record of suspicious digital asset buying and selling platforms,” to offer clear and well timed info to the general public. As of February 14, this record contained 14 buying and selling platforms.
The SFC and the Police had exchanged intelligence regarding over 100 digital asset buying and selling platforms or associated actions as of February 2. The willpower concerning whether or not to provoke a particular investigation into particular person buying and selling platforms and actions relies on varied standards, together with their connection to Hong Kong, potential violations of related legal guidelines, and the size of individuals and funds concerned.
In the meantime, the JPEX case was main in Hong Kong final yr. Following a liquidity disaster, the alternate ceased operations, bringing a couple of thorough investigation by the SFC. Hundreds of buyer complaints got here in, and the loss surpassed $152 million. Thus far, 8 suspects have been detained, and authorities have frozen about $1.9 million of their accounts and confiscated property valued at $5.6 million.
Hong Kong Cracks Down on Crypto Service Suppliers
The Treasury Division initiated a public session on February 8 concerning the legislative proposal for licensing digital asset buying and selling service suppliers to reinforce the regulatory framework additional. The session interval will final till April 12.
In collaboration with the Hong Kong Financial Authority, the Treasury Division commenced a public session in December 2023 regarding the regulation of stablecoin issuers, which concluded on February 29.
Relying on the outcomes of those consultations and the development of preparatory work, the federal government goals to swiftly submit a draft regulation pertaining to the licensing regime to the Legislative Council.
In the meantime, HTX, beforehand referred to as Huobi, just lately utilized to offer cryptocurrency providers in Hong Kong, becoming a member of a rising record of candidates. This transfer follows carefully after Bybit, one other cryptocurrency alternate, additionally filed for licensing approval from the SFC to function throughout the area.
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