The SFC is considering allowing professional investors access to crypto derivatives.
The regulator believes crypto derivatives trading would also improve liquidity in the spot market.
Hong Kong skyline
Hong Kong’s financial markets regulator plans to allow crypto derivatives trading for professional investors, aiming to expand product offerings in the asset class and strengthen the city’s global competitiveness, China Daily reported.
Crypto Derivatives in Hong Kong
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), which oversees the broader financial services sector in the autonomous jurisdiction, emphasised that its priority is risk management and ensuring trades are executed “in an orderly, transparent and secure manner.”
According to the regulator, legalising crypto derivatives would enhance liquidity in the underlying spot crypto market and support experienced investors with hedging and leverage strategies.
The crypto derivatives market is significantly larger than the spot market in terms of size. The SFC cited that the cryptocurrency market’s annual trading volumes exceeded US$70 trillion in 2024. Data from TokenInsight shows that crypto derivatives trading volume reached US$21 trillion in the first three months of 2025, while the spot market handled only US$4.6 trillion.
The proposal to legalise crypto derivatives trading forms part of the SFC’s broader plan to expand the range of products and services around virtual assets, unveiled earlier this year. The regulator has already permitted crypto staking services and authorised two platforms to offer them.
Positioning Itself on the Crypto Map
Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong (photo: Wikimedia)
Hong Kong, one of Asia’s financial powerhouses, is actively positioning itself as a cryptocurrency hub in the region, backed by a clear regulatory framework. The jurisdiction allowed the trading of crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in late December, although demand for these funds remains modest compared to those listed in the United States.
“These products have broadened the product diversity of the Hong Kong market, further enhancing Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading ETF market,” said Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s financial markets regulator plans to allow crypto derivatives trading for professional investors, aiming to expand product offerings in the asset class and strengthen the city’s global competitiveness, China Daily reported.
Crypto Derivatives in Hong Kong
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), which oversees the broader financial services sector in the autonomous jurisdiction, emphasised that its priority is risk management and ensuring trades are executed “in an orderly, transparent and secure manner.”
According to the regulator, legalising crypto derivatives would enhance liquidity in the underlying spot crypto market and support experienced investors with hedging and leverage strategies.
The crypto derivatives market is significantly larger than the spot market in terms of size. The SFC cited that the cryptocurrency market’s annual trading volumes exceeded US$70 trillion in 2024. Data from TokenInsight shows that crypto derivatives trading volume reached US$21 trillion in the first three months of 2025, while the spot market handled only US$4.6 trillion.
The proposal to legalise crypto derivatives trading forms part of the SFC’s broader plan to expand the range of products and services around virtual assets, unveiled earlier this year. The regulator has already permitted crypto staking services and authorised two platforms to offer them.
Positioning Itself on the Crypto Map
Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong (photo: Wikimedia)
Hong Kong, one of Asia’s financial powerhouses, is actively positioning itself as a cryptocurrency hub in the region, backed by a clear regulatory framework. The jurisdiction allowed the trading of crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in late December, although demand for these funds remains modest compared to those listed in the United States.
“These products have broadened the product diversity of the Hong Kong market, further enhancing Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s leading ETF market,” said Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong.
Arnab is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He entered the industry covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates and later expanded his reach to forex as well. He is passionate about the changing regulatory landscape on financial markets and keenly follows the disruptions in the industry with new-age technologies.
Kalshi Prediction Market and TRON Integration Bridges Traditional Finance with Crypto
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
