Group 1 - The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued two new circulars outlining expectations for licensed virtual asset trading platform operators, marking a significant step towards connecting global liquidity and expanding product and service offerings [1][2] - One circular allows platform operators to merge trading instructions with affiliated overseas virtual asset trading platforms into a shared order book, aimed at attracting global platforms, trading flows, and liquidity providers [1] - This initiative is part of the ASPIRe roadmap's pillar A (Access), which is expected to enhance market liquidity and competitive pricing for Hong Kong investors while reducing additional risks under robust safeguards [1] Group 2 - The second circular permits platform operators to sell virtual assets without a 12-month track record to professional investors, as well as stablecoins licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and to offer tokenized securities and digital asset-related investment products [2] - Additionally, affiliated entities of platform operators can provide custody services for virtual assets or tokenized securities not traded on the respective platforms [2] - The SFC's CEO emphasized that steadily expanding market liquidity and commercial products and services is crucial for the sustainable development of Hong Kong's digital asset ecosystem [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued two new circulars outlining expectations for licensed virtual asset trading platform operators, marking a significant step towards enhancing global liquidity access and expanding the range of products and services offered [1] Group 1: Regulatory Developments - The SFC allows platform operators to merge trading instructions with affiliated overseas virtual asset trading platforms into a shared order book, which is a key component of the ASPIR roadmap's pillar A (Access) aimed at attracting global platforms, trading volume, and liquidity providers [1] - This initiative is expected to enhance market liquidity and provide more competitive pricing for Hong Kong investors while reducing additional risks under robust safeguards [1] Group 2: Future Considerations - The SFC plans to explore the feasibility of allowing licensed brokers to transfer client trading instructions to regulated overseas liquidity pools within the same group, with potential further expansions of these arrangements [1] Group 3: Product and Service Expansion - In another circular, the SFC permits platform operators to offer virtual assets without a 12-month track record to professional investors and stablecoins licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as well as to sell tokenized securities and digital asset-related investment products [1] - Additionally, affiliated entities of platform operators may provide custody services for virtual assets or tokenized securities not traded on the respective platforms [1]