Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Fee (SFC) has issued an investor warning towards three entities suspected of participating in fraudulent actions involving digital property or working with out a license. This comes as Hong Kong seeks to place itself as a crypto hub to create an enabling setting for the event of the crypto area.
SFC lists Tokencan, VBIT, HKD.com as scams
In a June 28 press launch, Hong Kong’s SFC issued three fraud warnings, beginning with Tokencan, which the Fee referred to as an alleged digital asset buying and selling platform (VATP).
The SFC stated Tokencan defrauded buyers through the use of social media channels to attract consideration to its web site, the place it claimed to supply crypto buying and selling providers. Nevertheless, after investing, prospects skilled withdrawal issues and ended up being banned from their accounts. Particularly, the SFC states that Tokencan additionally entered false info when registering with the Fee.
The VBIT alternate was one other entity accused by the SFC of actively impersonating VATP regardless of not having a license from the Fee. As well as, VBIT Trade additionally falsely claimed to be registered in a number of native governments and jurisdictions.
The Hong Kong SFC additionally warned buyers about HKD.com Company, an organization with an equivalent emblem and identify to a different VATP, however with no associates. Much like Tokencash, buyers are additionally reporting issues withdrawing their property from HKD.com.
The securities regulator assures all buyers that enforcement motion has been taken towards all of the above entities and the police have shut down all their associated web sites and social media channels. Nevertheless, they suggested all buyers to stay vigilant and solely use licensed buying and selling providers.
The fee additionally confirmed the necessity for present and future PTAs to acquire a license earlier than beginning operations, as required by Hong Kong legal guidelines beneath the Anti-Cash Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Ordinance.
Hong Kong’s journey to changing into a crypto hub
Along with combating fraudulent and unregistered crypto platforms, Hong Kong continues to take steps to create a worldwide crypto hub.
In April, Hong Kong permitted the launch of Ethereum and Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs). For context, a spot ETF is an funding fund that instantly owns a commodity. Spot crypto ETFs enable buyers to realize direct publicity to asset value actions and are a major step within the mass adoption of digital property.
Moreover, Bitcoinist reported that the Hong Kong Institute of Financial and Monetary Research has performed government-sponsored analysis on decentralized finance and the Metaverse because the island nation appears to be like to interrupt new boundaries in these two key sectors of the crypto area.
Featured picture from NW Flags, chart from Tradingview
