Less than 50% of Hong Kong retail crypto investors aware of relevant regulations: SurveyHong Kong has allowed retail crypto trading since June.
Just 47% of retail crypto investors in Hong Kong are aware of the Virtual Asset Trading Platform Regulatory Regime, a piece of legislation that went into effect this June to protect the interests of retail investors in digital assets in the region.
That’s according to an Oct. 11 reportby the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC) of Hong Kong. In its survey, the IFEC noted that nearly 25% of Hong Kong adults ages 18–29 have invested in crypto within the past year, three times the demographic average and a significant increase over 2019, where just 3% of respondents in the said demographic reported investing in crypto.
Despite the improvement in adoption, most Hong Kongers said that their top investment preferences were stocks (96%), mutual funds and trusts (24%), followed by bonds (18%). Around three-quarters of overall respondents said the primary goal of investing in crypto was “short-term profits,” alongside “fear of missing out.” The survey featured 1,000 respondents between the ages of 18 and 69.
“Investors should understand the product characteristics and related risks before investing, in order to align their choices with their financial goals and risk tolerance level,” said IFEC general manager Dora Li in response to the results. Meanwhile, Eric Chui, head of the department of applied social sciences at PolyU, commented, “Virtual asset investors should think more deliberately and rationally. They should also build up their financial literacy and collect high-quality market informationto avoid the irrational investment behaviour and biases.”
Beginning in June, Hong Kong legalized retail crypto trading for licensed exchanges, to mixed results. During this time, the largest Ponzi scheme in Hong Kong history, the $166-million JPEX crypto exchange scandal, unraveled in the Special Administrative Region of China.
Magazine: 3AC fugitives in disarray as OPNX faces new peril
Crypto Exchanges Adapt: Coinbase, Revolut, and Binance Update Apps for UK Regulations – Here's the LatestCrypto Exchanges Adapt: Coinbase, Revolut, and Binance Update Apps for UK Regulations – Here's the Latest
Source: AdobeStock / Mary
Leading crypto exchanges Coinbase, Revolut, and Binancehave updated their mobile and web applications to comply with the new regulations from the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Coinbase and Revolut informed their customers via email about the changes, which included the addition of "risk disclaimers" for crypto transactions. Users were also requested to update their mobile applications accordingly.
Binance, on the other hand, launched a dedicated webpagespecifically for its UK customers.
The exchange temporarily halted operations through its mobile app but later resumed, assuring its British users of compliance with the new regulations.
Komainu, a digital asset custody firm in the UK backed by Nomura, CoinShares, and Ledger, obtained a license to operate in the region on October 6.
Komainu provides custodial services to exchanges, financial institutions, and asset managers.
However, some other exchanges, such as ByBit and Luno, have decided to suspend operationsin light of the new regulations.
PayPalhas also temporarily paused crypto purchases for its British users as it works on making its app compliant with the updated regulations.
FCA Issues Alerts to 146 Crypto Firms in Region
Just recently, the FCA issued alertsto 146 crypto firms operating in the UK, cautioning that they are not authorized or registered by the regulatory authority.
"We expect businesses including social media platforms, app stores, search engines, domain name registrars and payments firms to consider the alerts we have issued and play their part in protecting UK consumers from illegal promotions," the agency said.
The new FCA rules, implemented earlier this year, require crypto firms to register with the financial regulator and have their marketing materials approved by an FCA-authorized firm.
Key updates include exchanges providing clear warnings to customers about the risks associated with crypto investments.
Marketing materials must be fair, transparent, and not misleading. Additionally, a 24-hour cooling-off period for new customers is required.
While the FCA extended the deadline for implementing technically challenging features like the cooling-off period until January 2024, firms are expected to adhere to the "core rules" from October 8.
The FCA has warned that failure to comply can result in criminal charges, including unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment, for domestic and overseas exchanges operating in the UK.
The UK has been among the countries that have ramped up regulatory efforts following some high-profile bankruptcies last year.
Earlier this year, the country officially passed legislationto regulate cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as part of its broader financial regulatory reforms post-Brexit.
The law, dubbed the Financial Services and Marketsbill, will grant regulators the authority to establish a tailored framework for the digital asset sector, supporting crypto’s "safe adoption in the UK."Hong Kong has allowed retail crypto trading since June. Just 47% of retail crypto investors in Hong Kong are aware of the Virtual Asset Trading Platform Regulatory Regime, a piece of legislation that went into effect this June to protect the interests of retail investors in digital assets in the region. That’s according to an Oct. 11 reportby the Investor and Financial Education Council (IFEC) of Hong Kong. In its survey, the IFEC noted that nearly 25% of Hong Kong adults ages 18–29 have invested in crypto within the past year, three times the demographic average and a significant increase over 2019, where just 3% of respondents in the said demographic reported investing in crypto. Despite the improvement in adoption, most Hong Kongers said that their top investment preferences were stocks (96%), mutual funds and trusts (24%), followed by bonds (18%). Around three-quarters of overall respondents said the primary goal of investing in crypto was “short-term profits,” alongside “fear of missing out.” The survey featured 1,000 respondents between the ages of 18 and 69. “Investors should understand the product characteristics and related risks before investing, in order to align their choices with their financial goals and risk tolerance level,” said IFEC general manager Dora Li in response to the results. Meanwhile, Eric Chui, head of the department of applied social sciences at PolyU, commented, “Virtual asset investors should think more deliberately and rationally. They should also build up their financial literacy and collect high-quality market informationto avoid the irrational investment behaviour and biases.” Beginning in June, Hong Kong legalized retail crypto trading for licensed exchanges, to mixed results. During this time, the largest Ponzi scheme in Hong Kong history, the $166-million JPEX crypto exchange scandal, unraveled in the Special Administrative Region of China. Magazine: 3AC fugitives in disarray as OPNX faces new peril
