Swiss SEBA Bank gets approval-in-principle for Hong Kong crypto services
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[1/2]Representations of cryptocurrency Bitcoin are placed on a PC motherboard in this illustration taken June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
HONG KONG, Aug 30 (Reuters) – Swiss crypto-focused SEBA Bank on Wednesday said it has received an approval-in-principle from Hong Kong’s securities regulator that takes it only one step away from offering virtual asset services in the Asian financial hub.
SEBA (Hong Kong), in a statement, said the Securities and Futures Commission will grant licences once it meets conditions for final approval. It will then be able to engage in securities dealing, including crypto-related structured products, and advise on and manage digital assets and traditional securities.
The development comes after the city introduced a framework in June aimed at regulating retail cryptocurrency trade and which requires crypto trading platforms and exchanges to obtain licences.
The framework came after a year of turmoil in cryptocurrencies including the collapse of exchange FTX.
Hong Kong is the third market in which the Zug-headquartered bank has sought a licence after Switzerland and Abu Dhabi. The approval-in-principle allows SEBA to prepare for operations as soon as it is licensed.
Reporting by Georgina Lee; Editing by Christopher Cushing
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