Cryptocurrencytrading platform Bitget has dropped plans to obtain a Virtual Asset Trading Platform (VATP) license in Hong Kong, citing business and market-related considerations.
Bitget officially announced on Nov. 13 that its Hong Kong division, BitgetX, accessible by the domain BitgetX.hk, will cease operations by Dec. 13, 2023.
As Bitget decided not to apply for a VATP license, the firm will have to permanently withdraw from the Hong Kong market, the announcement notes.
The company has strongly encouraged users to withdraw crypto assets from BitgetX before Dec. 13. “After this date, the BitgetX website will no longer be accessible and you will not be able to manage or access your assets on BitgetX,” the statement noted.
Bitget emphasized that users will not be able to trade their assets on the platform immediately as only withdrawals will be available. The exchange will also stop accepting new users starting from Nov. 13, the announcement said.
Launched in 2018, Bitget is a major global crypto exchange, trading nearly one million in crypto per day, according to data from CoinGecko. The exchange’s Hong Kong division has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to obtain the VATP license in compliance with Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission’s new crypto framework, which entered into force in June 2023.
The news came as OSL, one of the first crypto exchanges to acquire a Hong Kong crypto license, announced the suspension of stock market trading on Nov. 13. The exchange halted trading OSL shares on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong at the request of its operator, BC Technology.
According to industry sources, there has been a rumor that Bitget has acquired or invested in the OSL business. In October, OSL operator BC Technology reportedly considered selling the OSL exchange for $1 billion Hong Kong dollars, or $128 million.
Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf has reversed his decision to quit the party, saying “the mission is too important” and that he “cannot let people down”.
Instead, he said he will return in a new role, heading up an Elon Musk-inspired “UK DOGE” team.
In a statement, he said: “Over the last 24 hours I have received a huge number of lovely and heartfelt messages from people who have expressed their dismay at my resignation, urging me to reconsider.”
He added: “I know the mission is too important and I cannot let people down.
“So, I will be continuing my work with Reform, my commitment redoubled.”
Mr Yusuf said he would be returning in a new role, seemingly focusing on cuts and efficiency within government.
He said he would “fight for taxpayers”.
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Mr Yusuf’s initial decision to quit came after he publicly distanced himself from the party’s new MP, Sarah Pochin, when she asked Sir Keir Starmer about banning the burka at Prime Minister’s Questions.
Reform said a ban was not party policy – and the chairman called it a “dumb” thing to ask.
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DOGE is a meme-coin inspired creation of Musk’s, standing for the Department of Government Efficiency.
It is the latest right-wing US import into British politics.
Before his public fallout with Donald Trump, the tech billionaire said his focus was saving taxpayers’ money by locating wasteful spending within government and cutting it.
However, opposition politicians questioned the impact of his efforts and how much he actually saved.
Musk initially had ambitions to slash government spending by $2trn (£1.5trn) – but this was dramatically reduced to $1trn (£750bn) and then to just $150bn (£111bn).
Allegations on the president’s ties to the crypto industry and claims of “Trump derangement syndrome” clouded attempts to reach an agreement on a market structure bill in Congress.