The return of blockchain tech companies to Hong Kong reflects growing confidence in its evolving virtual asset market. With robust regulatory frameworks, ambitious government initiatives, and favourable tax policies, Hong Kong is positioning itself as a competitive global centre for virtual assets, attracting investment from around the world.

Since mid-2023, Hong Kong has allowed fully legal crypto trading under specific regulations, setting itself apart from mainland China, where crypto trading has been banned since December 2021. Despite being a special administrative region of China, Hong Kong has taken a favourable stance towards cryptocurrencies.

In the last 12 months, a significant number of Crypto & blockchain technology companies have returned to Hong Kong, indicating growing confidence in the future development of its virtual asset market. 

As Hong Kong approaches the 27th anniversary of its return to China, the financial industry in the Special Administrative Region (SAR) is experiencing rapid growth. The SAR government has set ambitious goals, proposing to establish Hong Kong as a global hub for virtual assets. This initiative has led to an influx of digital economy conferences, attracting numerous leaders from the crypto industry to Hong Kong.

One key factor contributing to Hong Kong’s attractiveness is its regulatory environment. Over the past year, the SAR government has implemented rigorous rules for supervising licensed platforms for crypto companies. These regulations have significantly enhanced global investor confidence in Hong Kong’s virtual asset market. As a result, many talented individuals and technology companies have chosen to return to Hong Kong for growth. 

The consensus within the Crypto industry is that Hong Kong’s advantages in fostering the virtual asset market are becoming increasingly evident.

Some experts noted that a critical aspect of Hong Kong’s appeal lies in its tax policies. Unlike countries such as Japan and Australia, where investments in cryptocurrencies are subject to asset appreciation taxes that can reach rates as high as 50% and 40% respectively, Hong Kong imposes no such taxes.

A favourable tax regime is particularly attractive to international investors seeking to maximise their investment returns. By offering a low-tax environment for virtual asset investments, Hong Kong is poised to attract more global capital and strengthen its position as a leading hub for the virtual asset industry.

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The SEC has sued Consensys, alleging that its digital asset wallet MetaMask engaged in illegal securities sales and acted as an unregistered broker.

ConsenSys is a popular blockchain software company known for developing technologies like MetaMask. It focuses on decentralised applications & tools around the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem. 

On 28 June 2024, The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Consensys in federal court in Brooklyn, New York.

The SEC body alleged that Consensys, known for its blockchain software for the Ethereum blockchain, illegally sold unregistered securities and acted as an unregistered broker through its Crypto wallet, MetaMask.

According to the SEC’s allegations, the ConsenSys firm generated $250 million in revenue with the unregistered securities trading services.

Denmark has proposed new regulations that might ban the use of self-custody Bitcoin wallets and other decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms.

Denmark, a Nordic country known for its high standard of living, allows the legal trading, buying, and selling of cryptocurrencies. The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority oversees cryptocurrency activities to ensure compliance with financial regulations and prevent money laundering. Recent proposals suggest Denmark may be planning to bring more strict rules & laws to regulate the unregulated part of this innovative sector.

Denmark’s latest approved regulatory proposal could ban self-custody Bitcoin wallets and other DeFi interfaces, decentralised Cryptocurrency protocols. 

The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority (DFSA) plans to ban all unregulated wallets due to concerns about unregulated cryptocurrency activities. Despite criticism, the DFSA argues this move will ensure crypto transactions are regulated and address a coverage gap in DeFi regulation.

If this rule is implemented, it will contradict the EU’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) guidelines and the US’s stance on BTC self-custody wallets. MiCA regulations, effective from December 30, 2024, do not apply to the DeFi sector and have been criticised for stifling innovation but there are huge chances that lawmakers will work later on this issue, probably in 2025.

Estonia & self-custody wallet ban

Estonia, another European Union (EU) member country, has implemented similar rules on self-custodial wallets, which could negatively impact the sector in Denmark. 

Crypto enthusiasts noted that if Denmark adopts these rules, no one will be able to offer Bitcoin wallets, DEX interfaces, or any token-related services without being regulated in Denmark’s jurisdiction & there are huge chances that similar measures will be adopted by other EU member countries.

In contrast, the US crypto infrastructure bill FIT21 Act has chosen to study DeFi, like MiCA, instead of regulating it. The DFSA is now seeking feedback from stakeholders on its proposals. That means, the American regulatory body decided to first study this unregulated sector, instead of direct ban/unban decision.

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