Digital Asset Companies Announce New Partnerships, Acquisitions, Products - A recent press release announced that Ripple, a U.S. fintech and digital asset infrastructure provider, has agreed to acquire Hidden Road, a prime...more
In our previous alert, we provided an overview of the new Dual Licensing Regime and highlighted the consequences of relevant breaches of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), as amended...more
To prepare for commencement of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance regime for virtual asset service providers, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission is conducting a consultation on...more
On 20 February 2023, the Securities and Futures Commission (the “SFC”) launched a public consultation (the “Consultation”) to seek views on the proposed requirements for operators of virtual asset trading platforms (“VA...more
Recent annual and quarterly reports published by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong highlight the SFC’s regulatory work for the period dated April 2020 to December 2021 (the 2020/2021 Period). The...more
The Hong Kong government has issued its widely anticipated consultation conclusions on a new framework to regulate virtual asset exchanges. On 21 May 2021, the Hong Kong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB)...more
There are various exciting regulatory developments that we expect to see in Hong Kong throughout 2021. This bulletin looks at a number of key regulatory areas of focus in relation to: i) anti-money laundering and...more
Regulators propose new regulations for virtual asset exchanges and enhanced customer identity verification requirements, and launch an innovative commercial data interchange. This blog post summarises key regulatory...more
Regulators consult on anti-money laundering guidelines and issue guidance on cybersecurity, best execution, and senior management accountability. This blog post summarizes key regulatory developments in Hong Kong and...more
Amidst its continued regulatory focus on money laundering and terrorist financing risks, the SFC seeks to clarify and consolidate guidance for licensed firms. On 18 September 2020, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures...more
At its recent plenary meeting in the United States on 20 June 2019, the Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) commended Hong Kong for its strong legal foundation and effective systems regarding anti-money laundering and...more
On May 2, 2019, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued guidance titled “A Framework for OFAC Compliance Commitments” (Guidance), providing direction regarding what OFAC considers to...more
• The rapid proliferation of technological advancements in global financial markets has caused regulators in several countries to increase their scrutiny of investments in, and implications of, cryptocurrencies. • This...more
In a time of shifting opinions on the benefits of globalization, China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative (OBOR) offers an unexpected bright spot for multinational companies able and willing to participate in this...more
SEC Chairman Nominee Advances: Jay Clayton took another step to becoming chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission when the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs approved his nomination for the...more
Key Points - - The SFC Enforcement Division is investigating several SFC-licensed brokerages for suspected inadequate AML internal controls. - Reminder of SFC areas of concern. - SFC licensees...more
Broker-Dealer Sanctioned by SEC for Anti-Money Laundering Breakdowns: Albert Fried & Company, LLC, a Securities and Exchange Commission-registered broker-dealer, agreed to pay a fine of US $300,000 to resolve charges by the...more