Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission: 24 companies apply for Hong Kong virtual asset trading platforms license.

The application deadline for virtual asset trading platform licenses was yesterday, and the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong displayed the list of applicants on its website. 24 companies submitted applications, including Bybit, OKX, Crypto.com, HTX, Bullish, etc. The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong reminds industry professionals and investors that the deadline for virtual asset trading platforms to submit license applications to the SFC has ended. According to the transitional arrangement, any virtual asset trading platform operating in Hong Kong must end its business in Hong Kong by May 31 this year if they have not submitted a license application to the SFC by the deadline of February 29. The Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong reminds the public that the applications submitted by the applicants on the list of virtual asset trading platform applicants are still being processed, and it is unknown whether they will be approved. Therefore, there are risks associated with trading on these platforms. As a result, the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong strongly urges investors to only buy and sell virtual assets on platforms that have been licensed by the SFC, as trading on unlicensed platforms may leave them unprotected.