The CEO of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission: The next step will be to regulate the OTC Trading of virtual assets and the accomplice institutions.

[Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission CEO: Next step will regulate virtual asset OTC trading and custodial institutions] The CEO of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, Ashley Alder, stated during the Caixin Summer Summit that the Commission had proposed a regulatory framework for virtual assets from the perspective of investor protection as early as 2018. Bitcoin has become an alternative asset and a tool in the competition for financial supremacy against the backdrop of multiple cycles, geopolitical factors, and digital development. Hong Kong adopts a regulatory philosophy of 'same business, same risks, same rules.' In addition to the already licensed exchanges, the next step will include regulating OTC trading and custodial institutions. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission is actively building a virtual asset ecosystem. This robust ecosystem must be compliant, risk-controlled, and sustainable in order for investors to seize new opportunities. The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission supports the listing of ETFs for virtual asset spot trading and expands the relevant scope, such as recently allowing staking services for virtual assets.