---
type: country
domain: crypto-regulation
status: stable
tags: ["crypto-regulation", "asia_pacific", "fatf", "legal"]
aliases: ["HK", "HKG", "香港"]
created: 2026-06-01
updated: 2026-02-20
compile_into: ["[[country--hong-kong]]"]
sources:
  - name: "Securities and Futures Commission"
    url: "https://www.sfc.hk"
    type: "official"
  - name: "Hong Kong e-Legislation"
    url: "https://www.elegislation.gov.hk"
    type: "official"
---

# 🇭🇰 [[country--hong-kong|Hong Kong]] (HK) — Crypto Regulation

> Hong Kong maintains a legal and regulated environment for cryptocurrency, with a licensing regime for Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs) under the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The SFC actively monitors and warns against unlicensed platforms and scams, emphasizing investor protection and compliance.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | Legal |
| Risk Score | 25/100 (Low Risk) |
| Enforcement Level | Moderate |
| Region | [[domain--asia-pacific|asia pacific]] |
| Currency | [[entity--hkd|HKD]] |
| Adoption Rank | #10 |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | no_cgt |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | no_cgt |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
| Mining Tax | taxable_if_business |
| Airdrop Tax | taxable_if_business |

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | Yes |
| Regulator | SFC + HKMA |
| Framework | SFC VATP licensing regime (AMLO/SFO) + HKMA Stablecoins Ordinance (effective August 1, 2025) |
| Ease | medium |
| Cost | $50,000 - $500,000 |
| Timeline | 6-12 months |

Licensing is mandatory for VATPs with a structured application period and transitional arrangements. The SFC actively enforces licensing requirements and warns against unlicensed entities.

## Licensed VASPs

Registry: [SFC Public Register — Virtual Asset Service Providers (AMLO)](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/searchByRa) — total: 16

| Name | License Type | Since |
|------|-------------|-------|
| [Accumulus GBA Technology (Hongkong) Co., Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BUA970/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [Bullish HK Markets Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BUQ956/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [DFX Labs Company Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BUN619/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [EXIO Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BUT670/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [Flying Hippo Technologies Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BUT159/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [Foris DAX HK Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BUT252/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [Hash Blockchain Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BPL992/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [Hong Kong BGE Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BSI739/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [Hong Kong Digital Asset EX Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BPO721/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |
| [Hong Kong Virtual Asset Exchange Limited](https://apps.sfc.hk/publicregWeb/corp/BPW549/details) | VATP (AMLO — Operating a Virtual Asset Trading Platform) | N/A |

## AML / KYC

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| KYC Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule | Yes |
| [[concept--fatf|FATF]] Member | Yes |
| FATF Status | compliant |

## DeFi

**Status:** regulated

DeFi activities are subject to regulatory oversight under existing frameworks, with emphasis on investor protection and AML compliance.

## Stablecoins

**Status:** fully_licensed

Hong Kong's Stablecoins Ordinance came into force on August 1, 2025. It requires licensing for all fiat-referenced stablecoin (FRS) issuers by the HKMA. Key requirements: HK$25M minimum paid-up capital, 100% high-quality liquid reserve asset backing, one-business-day redemption, non-interest bearing, full reserve segregation. HKMA granted the first two stablecoin issuer licenses on April 10, 2026 to HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial. AML/CFT Guideline and Supervision Guideline published July 2025.

## NFTs

**Status:** no_rules

No NFT-specific regulation. The SFC has noted that NFTs that are structured as securities or collective investment schemes would be regulated under existing securities laws.

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.138/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 1% |
| Climate | temperate |
| Infrastructure | good |

Mining is legal but limited by high electricity costs and low renewable energy penetration. Infrastructure is good due to Hong Kong's advanced data center and internet facilities.

## Geopolitics

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Stability | stable |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 76/100 |
| Ease of Business | easy |
| Internet Freedom | partly_free |
| Banking Access | moderate |
| Sanctions Programs Active | Yes |

### Recent Political Events

- 2024-07-01: Implementation of National Security Law in Hong Kong — Increased regulatory scrutiny and compliance requirements for crypto businesses.

## Enforcement

SFC has placed unlicensed virtual asset trading platforms on its alert list and taken action to block access. In 2025, SFC issued warnings against multiple unlicensed platforms and reminded investors to use only licensed VASPs.

## CBDC

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | pilot |
| Name | e-HKD |
| Authority | Hong Kong Monetary Authority |
| Type | retail |

## FAQ

### Is cryptocurrency legal in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong maintains a legal and regulated environment for cryptocurrency, with a licensing regime for Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs) under the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). The SFC actively monitors and warns against unlicensed platforms and scams, emphasizing investor protection and compliance.

### What is the FATF status of Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is classified by FATF as: compliant.

### Are VASPs licensed in Hong Kong?

Yes, licensing is required for VASPs.

### What is the AML/KYC regime in Hong Kong?

KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.

---

*Data source: [Soken Crypto Legal Map](https://soken.dev/crypto-map/). Last reviewed: 2026-06-01.*

**Sources:**
- [Securities and Futures Commission](https://www.sfc.hk)
- [Hong Kong e-Legislation](https://www.elegislation.gov.hk)