Hong Kong securities regulator warns of ‘criminal’ activity by unlicensed exchanges
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong issued a notice about unlicensed virtual asset trading platforms “engaging in improper practices,” warning of potential criminal charges.
In an Aug. 7 notice, the SFC said certain trading firms had falsely claimed to have submitted applications for licenses in Hong Kong. The securities regulator said should the companies actually apply to operate legally in the special administrative region, it would consider any false statements as well as possible criminal charges.
According to the SFC, some unlicensed crypto trading platforms in Hong Kong set up new entities, claiming to have submitted applications to the securities regulator. However, “the services and products offered by some of these new entities may not be in compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements” under the SFC’s rules that became effective as of June 1.
“These established entities will also need to apply for SFC licences or they should proceed to close their business in Hong Kong,” said the financial watchdog. “Conducting unlicensed activities in Hong Kong is a criminal offence.”
Related: Hong Kong would not go crypto without China’s approval — Animoca exec
Certain crypto firms, including HashKey and OSL, have received licenses under the SFC’s regime, allowing the platforms to offer a variety of crypto services to Hong Kong residents. The licensing regime requires crypto exchanges and service providers to ensure safe custody of assets as well as follow Know Your Customer, Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism rules, among others.
Responding to a report about crypto ATM fraud in Wyoming, Senator Cynthia Lummis said the chamber’s market structure bill could address specific risks.
According to the lawsuit, Justin Sun’s crypto holdings included about 60 billion Tron, 17,000 Bitcoin, 224,000 Ether and 700 million Tether as of February.
The Home Office has lost a Court of Appeal bid to challenge a High Court ruling granting an Eritrean man a temporary block on being deported to France.
The ruling will be a blow to ministers, who had been hoping to make headway with their “one in, one out” migrant returns deal with France.
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Under the deal, the UK can send back any migrant who crosses the Channel illegally in return for accepting the same number of migrants in France who have a valid asylum claim here.
However, only four people have been deported under the scheme so far, including one Afghan individual who was deported to France this afternoon.
The Eritrean man was granted a temporary block on his removal after he claimed he had been a victim of modern slavery.
The government has said up to 50 people a week could be deported under the scheme initially, but it believes numbers would grow and eventually act as a deterrent to those considering making the dangerous journey across the Channel.
Last Friday saw more than 1,000 people cross the Channel to the UK in small boats – the day after the first migrant was deported under the “one in, one out” deal.
The latest Home Office figures show 1,072 people made the journey in 13 boats – averaging more than 82 people per boat. It means the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel has topped 30,000 for the year so far.
Migrants arrive at Dover. Pic: PA
Shabana Mahmood, who was promoted to home secretary in the prime minister’s reshuffle earlier this month, has accused migrants who try to block their deportation of making a “mockery” of the UK’s modern slavery laws.
She has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to end crossings – but the Conservatives have branded the “one in, one out” deal with France “meagre” and have called for their Rwanda policy to be reinstated.
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Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: “Yet again the courts have stepped in to block a deportation, proving what we warned from the start, unless you tackle the lawfare strangling Britain’s borders, nothing will change.
“This is nothing but a gimmick. Even if by some miracle it worked, it would still be no deterrent, as 94 per cent of arrivals would still stay.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK has promised to crack down on both legal and illegal migration.
Last month, party leader Nigel Farage outlined plans to deport hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants in the first parliament of a potential Reform UK government.
On Monday, he announced fresh policies to reduce legal migration, saying his party would ban access to benefits to migrants and get rid of indefinite leave to remain – the term used to describe the right to settle in the UK, with access to benefits, after five years.
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