The standards for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in Hong Kong are set "incredibly high" as the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) wants the crypto industry to match the same compliance standards as traditional financial firms, according to Lucy Gazmararian, founder of crypto venture firm Token Bay Capital and an SFC Fintech Advisory Group member. The SFC published a consultation paper in February that considered whether licensed VASPs should serve retail investors and what standard of investor protection measures should be imposed. Gazmararian said the high standards may pose challenges for the crypto industry in Hong Kong over the short term, but that a solid regulatory framework will attract well-capitalized financial firms to help promising startups get off the ground.
(By BRAYDEN LINDREA)
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