The application for virtual asset trading platform licenses closed yesterday. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission showed the application list on its website. 24 companies applied, including Bybit, OKX, Crypto.com, HTX, Bullish, etc. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission reminded industry insiders and investors that the application for virtual asset trading platforms to submit licenses to the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has ended. According to the transitional arrangement, any virtual asset trading platform operating in Hong Kong that has not submitted a license application to the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission on or before the deadline of February 2 this year must end its business in Hong Kong on or before May 29 this year.
The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission reminds the public that the applications submitted by applicants on the list of virtual asset trading platform applicants are still being processed and it is unknown whether they will be approved. Therefore, there are risks in buying and selling on these platforms.
For this reason, the SFC strongly urges investors to only buy and sell virtual assets on virtual asset trading platforms licensed by the SFC, as trading on unlicensed platforms may leave them unprotected.