OKX cryptocurrency exchange has entered the final stage before submitting the application for a virtual asset service provider license (VASP) in Hong Kong.
In an interview , OKX executive said that it is actively engaged in a dialogue with the banks and is currently waiting for the group to submit the license application. The crypto exchange has started the preparatory work, such as technology docking.
Hong Kong became a pro-crypto nation in 2023 and announced a licensing regime for crypto exchanges to offer their services to retail customers. While more than 80 crypto firms initially showed interest in opening an office in the country, only a couple of crypto platforms, such as HashKey and OSL, gained the necessary license to start retail crypto trading services.
HashKey started offering retail crypto trading services to Hong Kong users on Aug. 28. The regulatory body in the country has opened only Bitcoin
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Apart from HashKey and OSL, Huobi and Gate.io have also applied for retail crypto trading services and are waiting for the regulatory nod. Previously, a Gate.io executive shared the regulatory experience in Hong Kong and told Cointelegraph that compared with other regulators, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has stricter requirements for virtual asset service providers. The regulator has made it compulsory for crypto platforms to offer insurance and compensation arrangement requirements to help protect clients. Apart from that, the crypto exchanges must hold 98% of assets in cold wallet storage.
OKX told Cointelegraph that they are currently preparing for the application submission and there is no fixed date as mentioned in the said interview.
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