Core Viewpoint - The South Korean Financial Services Commission has proposed a "Digital Asset Basic Law" that designates major cryptocurrency exchanges as core infrastructure for virtual asset circulation, specifically targeting Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, and Korbit [1] Group 1: Regulatory Framework - The proposed law aims to implement a major shareholder eligibility review mechanism, limiting the shareholding ratio of major shareholders to between 15% and 20% [1] - This regulatory change is inspired by standards from the capital markets law regarding alternative trading systems (ATS) [1] Group 2: Impact on Major Exchanges - If the proposal is enacted, significant equity adjustments may be required for operators of major exchanges such as Dunamu (Upbit), Bithumb, and Coinone [1]

Economic Indicators - The number of initial jobless claims in the U.S. for the week ending December 20 was 214,000, lower than the expected 224,000 and unchanged from the previous week [1] Cryptocurrency Regulation - Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, along with the Securities and Futures Commission, announced a consultation summary to advance the licensing regime for virtual asset trading and custody service providers, aiming to enhance regulation and ensure market stability [1] - Spain will implement two key cryptocurrency regulations in 2026: the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) and the Administrative Cooperation Directive (DAC8), with MiCA requiring full authorization for crypto service providers and DAC8 mandating exchanges to report user transactions and balances to EU tax authorities [5] Market Performance - Many VCcoin projects launched this year have market capitalizations below their initial venture capital valuations, with examples including Humanity Protocol's market cap at $285 million compared to a $1 billion valuation, and Fuel Network's market cap at $11 million against a $1 billion valuation [2] - VanEck predicts Bitcoin may become the best-performing asset by 2026, driven by increased demand for hard assets, despite its underperformance compared to gold and the Nasdaq 100 this year [3] - Wintermute reports that while the crypto market faced downward pressure, sentiment is stabilizing, with funds concentrating on Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the market expected to remain volatile without significant macro or policy catalysts [4]

Group 1: Market Performance - The Hang Seng Index rose by 0.17% to close at 25,818.93 points, while the Hang Seng Tech Index increased by 0.19% to 5,499.3 points, and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index saw a slight increase of 0.01% to 8,915.12 points [2] - The total market turnover was HKD 92.52 billion, with southbound funds experiencing a net outflow of HKD 1.175 billion [2] Group 2: Stock Highlights - Semiconductor manufacturer SMIC saw a stock increase of 3.21%, while China Hongqiao rose by 2.34%, and Cheung Kong Infrastructure increased by 1.83%, leading the blue-chip stocks [4] - Baidu's stock was included in the Hong Kong Stock Connect, leading to a significant price increase of 24.81% at one point, closing at HKD 35.08, which is a 22.23% rise [11][16] - The stock adjustment for Baidu is expected to enhance liquidity and market attention, potentially positively impacting the company's valuation [16] Group 3: Industry Performance - The Hang Seng Industry Index showed mixed results, with the Utilities Index up by 0.7%, Materials Index up by 0.65%, and Financials Index up by 0.4%. Conversely, the Healthcare Index fell by 0.52%, Non-essential Consumer Index dropped by 0.45%, and the Industrials Index decreased by 0.12% [6] - The Wind concept sector exhibited varied performance, with the Integrated Circuit Industry Fund Index rising by 2.85% and the Integrated Circuit Index increasing by 2.71%, while the Sapphire Index fell by 3% [8] Group 4: Regulatory Developments - The Hong Kong government and the Securities and Futures Commission are advancing legislative proposals for regulating virtual asset trading and custody service providers, marking a significant step in enhancing the regulatory framework for virtual assets [20] - The proposed licensing system aims to balance market development, risk management, and investor protection, contributing to the establishment of a trustworthy and sustainable digital asset ecosystem in Hong Kong [21]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant market movements and developments in Hong Kong's stock market, particularly focusing on the inclusion of companies like 百奥赛图 (Bai Ao Sai Tu) in the Hong Kong Stock Connect program, which is expected to enhance liquidity and attract new investments [10][14]. Market Performance - On February 24, the Hang Seng Index closed at 25,818.93 points, up 0.17%, while the Hang Seng Technology Index rose by 0.19% to 5,499.3 points, and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index increased by 0.01% to 8,915.12 points [2][3]. - The total market turnover was 925.2 billion HKD, with southbound funds experiencing a net outflow of 11.75 billion HKD [2]. Stock Movements - 中芯国际 (SMIC) saw a rise of 3.21%, 中国宏桥 (China Hongqiao) increased by 2.34%, and 长江基建集团 (CK Infrastructure) rose by 1.83%, leading the blue-chip stocks [4]. - 百奥赛图's stock price surged by 24.81% at one point, closing at 35.08 HKD, marking a 22.23% increase after being included in the Hong Kong Stock Connect [10][12]. Industry Performance - The Hang Seng Industry Index showed mixed results, with the Utilities Index up by 0.7%, Materials Index up by 0.65%, and Financials Index up by 0.4%. Conversely, the Healthcare Index fell by 0.52%, Non-essential Consumer Index dropped by 0.45%, and the Industrials Index decreased by 0.12% [6]. - The Wind concept sectors also displayed varied performance, with the Integrated Circuit Industry Fund Index rising by 2.85% and the Integrated Circuit Index increasing by 2.71% [8]. Regulatory Developments - The Hong Kong government and the Securities and Futures Commission are advancing legislative proposals for regulating virtual asset trading and custody service providers, marking a significant step in enhancing the regulatory framework for digital assets [21][22]. - The proposed licensing regime aims to balance market development, risk management, and investor protection, contributing to a trustworthy and sustainable digital asset ecosystem in Hong Kong [24].

智通财经APP获悉，12月24日，香港财经事务及库务局(财库局)和证券及期货事务监察委员会(证监会) 就设立虚拟资产交易及托管服务提供者发牌制度的立法建议，联合发表咨询总结。香港财库局及证监会 今日同时就另外设立就虚拟资产提供意见的服务提供者及虚拟资产管理服务提供者的发牌制度，展开进 一步公众咨询，为期一个月。 与此同时，因应咨询所得的意见，香港财库局与证监会今日就另外设立就虚拟资产提供意见的服务提供 者及虚拟资产管理服务提供者的发牌制度展开进一步公众咨询。 为期两个月的公众咨询在今年八月完成，其间就虚拟资产交易服务提供者和虚拟资产托管服务提供者的 拟议发牌制度分别收到101份和93份意见书，来自市场参与者、行业组织、商会和专业团体等。 香港财库局局长许正宇表示："我们提出就虚拟资产交易和托管服务提供者建立发牌制度是完善数字资 产法律框架的重要一步。建议的发牌制度在促进巿场发展、管理风险及保障投资者之间稳慎地取得平 衡，有助实现我们构建值得信赖及可持续数字资产生态圈的愿景，从而打造香港为数字资产创新的全球 中心。" 香港证监会行政总裁梁凤仪表示："我们在建立虚拟资产监管框架方面可谓取得重大进展，透过构建可 信 ...

Core Insights - Dubai has established itself as the largest licensed virtual asset market globally, with a focus on creating a secure and forward-looking regulatory environment for virtual assets [1] Regulatory Environment - The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) aims to enhance the contribution of the virtual asset industry to the GDP by increasing it to 3% [1] - The regulatory framework is characterized by flexible regulations, strict enforcement, and efficient inter-agency coordination, which has successfully curbed unlicensed operations and improved market governance [1] Market Position - As a result of these efforts, Dubai is recognized as the most regulated and largest licensed virtual asset market in the world [1]

Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong has established a clear regulatory framework for stablecoins, requiring issuers to meet multiple criteria related to capital, asset management, and redemption mechanisms [1][2]. Regulatory Requirements - Capital Requirement: Issuers must have a minimum capital of HKD 25 million to ensure sufficient financial strength to operate and manage market risks [2]. - Asset Management: Funds collected in fiat currency must be invested in highly liquid, low-risk assets to ensure the stablecoin's value is reliably supported [2]. - Redemption Mechanism: Issuers are required to establish clear and executable redemption arrangements, allowing holders to exchange their stablecoins for fiat currency on a one-to-one basis in a short time [2]. Compliance and Auditing - Issuers must provide compliance proof through independent audits, with firms like Deloitte expected to issue audit reports verifying that the assets held are indeed low-risk and that asset allocation aligns with public disclosures [2]. Industry Impact - The robust regulatory framework in Hong Kong not only safeguards investor interests but also lays a solid foundation for the development of stablecoins and the Web3 industry, potentially attracting more international institutions to issue or use stablecoins in the region [2].

Core Viewpoint - The JPEX incident is described as the largest cryptocurrency collapse in Hong Kong's history, revealing systemic risks associated with unlicensed platforms and false advertising, prompting a new phase in virtual asset regulation in Hong Kong [1][2][4] Summary by Sections Background - JPEX, established in 2020 and headquartered in Dubai, claimed to be a global digital asset trading platform, heavily promoting itself through advertisements in Hong Kong [5] - The platform falsely advertised holding financial licenses from jurisdictions like the US, Canada, Australia, and Dubai, which were later revealed to be limited to foreign exchange services [5][10] Incident Development - On September 17, 2023, JPEX froze withdrawals, leading to panic among investors and a surge in reports to the police [2][9] - Within days, the police arrested eight individuals, including KOL Joseph Lam, for allegedly misleading investors about JPEX's legitimacy [2][13] - By November 2025, 16 individuals were formally charged, including key members of JPEX and KOLs, with crimes including conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering [4][15] Impact and Consequences - The incident has affected over 2,700 victims, with losses exceeding 1.6 billion HKD (approximately 206 million USD) [4][15] - The Hong Kong police have frozen assets worth 228 million HKD, including cash, gold bars, luxury cars, and virtual assets [4][16] - The case has prompted regulatory authorities to strengthen controls over virtual assets, highlighting the dangers of unlicensed platforms [4][6]

Core Viewpoint - The securities industry is benefiting from active market trading and the release of policy dividends, with several brokerages raising the margin trading limits to meet the strong demand for credit trading [1] Group 1: Market Performance - As of November 7, the A-share margin trading balance reached 2.50 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 55% in credit business income for listed brokerages in the first three quarters [1] - The current market liquidity is loose, and the improvement in US-China relations along with strengthened policy expectations are contributing to a favorable environment for the industry [1] Group 2: Regulatory Developments - The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has introduced new regulations for virtual asset supervision, allowing licensed platforms to connect with global liquidity and expand the asset access for professional investors, which is expected to enhance Hong Kong's market competitiveness [1] Group 3: Industry Outlook - The deepening of capital market reforms, the improvement of the Beijing Stock Exchange ecosystem, and the accelerated layout of medium- and long-term funds are providing further development momentum for the securities industry [1] - The Securities ETF (512880) tracks the securities company index (399975), which selects listed companies closely related to securities business from the A-share market, reflecting the overall performance of the securities industry [1]

Core Insights - The Central Bank of Brazil has introduced regulatory rules for the virtual asset market, including cryptocurrencies, which will take effect in February 2026 [1] Group 1: Regulatory Framework - The new regulations specify the scope of virtual asset services, institutional qualifications, operational setup, and the qualification approval process and timelines [1] - Virtual asset trading activities will now be included under the foreign exchange market regulations [1] Group 2: Compliance Requirements - Virtual asset service providers must obtain authorization from the Central Bank of Brazil to operate [1] - Existing anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations will be extended to apply to virtual asset service providers [1]