Hong Kong is preparing to introduce new regulations for virtual assets, with crypto exchanges required to obtain licenses under the Securities and Futures Ordinance and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance. The regulations will require crypto platforms to employ at least two "responsible officers" (RO) for each type of license they hold.

However, there is a shortage of ROs with blockchain and crypto experience, with only 95 holding the Type 7 license required for automated trading services. As a result, the Securities and Futures Commission has revised the requirements so that dually licensed crypto exchanges need only employ two ROs instead of four.

This has made the RO position a lucrative one in Hong Kong, with those with blockchain and crypto experience being paid up to 20% more than those in traditional finance.