Binance, Huobi, and OKX Withdraw Licensing Applications from Hong Kong’s SFC Amid Challenges

• Leading cryptocurrency exchanges such as Binance, Huobi, and OKX have retracted their applications for trading licenses from the Hong Kong SFC.
• Industry experts criticize the strict regulatory framework imposed by Hong Kong’s SFC as overly conservative.
• Concerns have been raised regarding the fragmented approach to developing Hong Kong’s crypto policies.

Global crypto exchanges retract license applications from Hong Kong due to stringent regulatory demands and fragmented policy development, casting a shadow on the city’s Web3 ambitions.

Global Crypto Exchanges Exit Hong Kong Market

Leading cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, Huobi, and OKX, have opted to withdraw their applications for trading licenses from Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). This move, occurring in the last week of May, significantly impacts the jurisdiction’s aim to establish itself as a global hub for Web3 and cryptocurrency innovations. In total, 11 exchanges have retracted their applications, narrowing the list of potential licensees to 11.

Challenges with Regulatory Compliance

The Hong Kong SFC requires all applicants for virtual asset trading platform licenses to sign a commitment letter stating they do not serve mainland Chinese users. This stipulation presents a substantial challenge for traditional offshore exchanges. Despite OKX’s efforts to form an industry alliance to challenge this requirement, they were unsuccessful. Industry insiders have noted that some of the entities withdrawing might revise their legal frameworks and reapply in the future, albeit under different branding.

Hong Kong’s Web3 Aspirations in Question

The exit of major players like OKX from the Hong Kong market has prompted questions regarding the future of the city’s Web3 aspirations. Critics within the local crypto community, particularly on platforms like WeChat, argue that the strict and cautious approach of Hong Kong’s authorities is overly conservative and stifles innovation. This conservative stance has led to operators withdrawing their applications after investing significant resources.

Fragmented Policy Development

Several industry experts have pointed out the fragmented nature of Hong Kong’s crypto policy development. Different departments have independently introduced policies pertaining to various aspects of the virtual asset market, such as stablecoin issuance, virtual asset over-the-counter trading, and regulatory measures specific to VATP. This piecemeal approach has resulted in a disjointed legislative process that fails to keep up with the rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Conclusion

The withdrawal of prominent exchanges from Hong Kong’s regulatory framework casts serious doubts on the city’s ability to become a leading hub for Web3 technologies. The stringent requirements and fragmented policy development are major barriers to attracting and retaining global crypto entities. As a result, unless there is a cohesive and strategic overhaul of the regulatory approach, Hong Kong’s ambitions in the crypto and Web3 space may remain unrealized.