Policy Event Β· High impact

Hong Kong SFC Confirms Virtual Asset Investment Advisor Licensing Framework Launch

Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced the official launch of virtual asset investment advisor licensing framework, extending regulatory coverage to crypto advisory services. Framework requires advisors to obtain SFC license and comply with conduct of business rules equivalent to traditional investment advisors.

High impactπŸ‡­πŸ‡° Hong KongLicensingRegulationBTCETHSFC

APAC FINSTAB analysis

For APAC operators, this creates a high-impact signal around licensing, regulation in Hong Kong. Protocols/assets in scope: BTC, ETH. Named institutions or platforms: SFC. Teams should monitor the original source, map the change to licensing, custody, disclosure, and market-access obligations, and update their jurisdiction playbooks before the next compliance review.

Compliance read-through: map this event to entity licensing, market-access, custody, disclosure, token listing, and operational-risk obligations before expanding or marketing in the affected jurisdiction.

View related Licensing tracker page β†’

Related policy events

Bank Of Russia Opens Stablecoin Consultation For Ruble And Cross Border Settlement Use

The Bank of Russia released a stablecoin consultation discussing ruble-linked instruments, issuer obligations, collateral disclosure and cross-border settlement use cases. The consultation turns Russia-facing stablecoins into a sanctions, reserve-transparency and redemption-risk review issue.

High impactπŸ‡·πŸ‡Ί RussiaRegulationStablecoinRUBA7A5CBDC

CFTC Reportedly Investigates Polymarket As Prediction Markets Scale

The Financial Times reported that the CFTC is investigating Polymarket as prediction-market volumes, Kalshi competition and consumer-protection scrutiny rise. The probe reinforces that event contracts, pUSD settlement products and prediction-market venues need a dedicated regulatory-risk classification.

High impactπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United StatesRegulationEnforcementpUSD

Maxine Waters Urges Labor Department To Withdraw Crypto 401k Alternative Assets Proposal

House Financial Services ranking member Maxine Waters asked the U.S. Department of Labor to withdraw a proposed safe harbor for alternative assets in 401(k) plans, including digital assets. The comment keeps crypto retirement-account access under investor-protection and fiduciary-duty scrutiny.

Medium impactπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United StatesRegulationAMLBTCETH