Hong Kong Awards First Crypto Exchange Licenses for Retail Services
Hong Kong’s cryptocurrency landscape experienced a significant breakthrough as HashKey Exchange and OSL Digital Securities Ltd. emerged as the first recipients of crypto exchange licenses under a newly introduced regime allowing exchanges to cater to retail customers.
HashKey Exchange, a division of HashKey Group, a prominent digital asset financial-services firm, proudly unveiled its license on Thursday. With this new authorization, the exchange is now empowered to extend its services to retail users, broadening its reach beyond professional investors, who have been its primary clientele until now. Shortly after, OSL Digital Securities, a subsidiary of BC Technology Group Ltd based in Hong Kong, also celebrated obtaining a similar license to serve retail customers.
Both HashKey Exchange and OSL Digital Securities were already operating under licenses obtained from Hong Kong’s previous opt-in licensing system for crypto asset service providers. This prior approval might have contributed to the expeditious processing of their new licenses under the latest regulatory framework.
The new licenses mark a significant step forward for Hong Kong’s crypto industry, opening up avenues for retail investors to participate in the rapidly evolving digital asset market. With HashKey Exchange and OSL Digital Securities at the forefront of this groundbreaking development, the future of cryptocurrency adoption in Hong Kong looks promising.
