Hong Kong's SFC Enhances AML Oversight on Digital Platforms

Key Points:* Key Point 1

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• Key Point 3 The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) released a circular on November 17, 2025, alerting licensed corporations to potential money laundering through suspicious tiered trading activities.

This development underscores rising criminal activities leveraging licensed platforms, intensifying the need for robust anti-money laundering measures within the regulated virtual asset sector.

Hong Kong’s SFC Enhances AML Oversight on Digital Platforms

According to the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, “Licensed corporations and SFC-licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers must put in place stringent controls and actively monitor for indications of tiered trading, using timely detection and enhanced reporting to prevent and disrupt attempts to launder proceeds of crime.”

Industry response mixes caution with optimism. Many view strengthened anti-money laundering standards as necessary for ensuring market integrity and participant trust, even as it escalates compliance costs for platforms like OSL.

Industry response mixes caution with optimism. Many view strengthened anti-money laundering standards as necessary for ensuring market integrity and participant trust, even as it escalates compliance costs for platforms like OSL.

Global Trends Mirror Hong Kong’s Crypto Compliance Moves

Did you know? Hong Kong’s 2025 AML directive parallels similar efforts made by financial regulators globally, reflecting the industry’s growing push to safeguard digital markets from illicit activities.

CoinMarketCap reports Bitcoin (BTC) currently priced at $95,282.14, holding a market cap of $1.90 trillion and a dominance of 58.63%. Over the past 24 hours, BTC saw a trading volume of $76.33 billion, reflecting a 0.13% decrease. Over the last 90 days, BTC’s price changed by -17.50%.

Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 12:37 UTC on November 17, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap According to Coincu’s research, these measures likely increase operational costs but may lead to more stable trading environments. Over time, these stringent compliance protocols could enhance investor trust and attract greater institutional interest in Hong Kong’s digital asset markets.