The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced on Monday, December 15, that it has added the Hong Kong Stable Exchange/ Hong Kong Stablecoin Exchange (HSEX) to the list of suspicious virtual asset trading platforms.

The SFC said the entity operating through the listed websites is suspected of conducting unlicensed activities and engaging in virtual asset related fraud, a warning aimed at investors who might confuse branding for approval.

SFC Says HSEX Falsely Claimed Ties to Hong Kong’s Major Exchanges

Additionally, the SFC stated that the Hong Kong Stablecoin Exchange has falsified information about its constitution, claiming to be “jointly established by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, and the Futures Exchange of Hong Kong,” despite having no connection with any of the entities.

Related: Hong Kong Unveils 10-Year Plan for RWA Tokenization and Digital Markets

The SFC’s clampdown on Hong Kong Stablecoin Exchange comes amid increased participation of institutional investors in the region’s digital asset sector. Early investors chasing quick wins dominated Hong Kong’s early virtual asset industry. However, there is an ongoing shift, with institutional participants flooding into the ecosystem, leading regulators to step up activities and adjust their rules.

JPEX Fallout Still Shapes How Regulators Talk About Risk

Notably, the regulatory adjustment is catching up with service providers within the virtual asset industry that have not regularized their processes, including those involved in activities that the regulators do not approve. One such move involves the purported crypto exchange and investment platform, JPEX, where eight defendants appeared in court last Monday over charges of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering that left 2,700 investors with a cumulative loss of approximately $210 million.

According to reports, JPEX is alleged to have advertised eye-catching returns with minimal risks, despite not being licensed by the SFC. Investors view JPEX’s actions as a reflection of the broader non-transparent and speculative crypto business, divergent from what is obtained in traditional finance.

Mainstream Participants Flood Hong Kong’s Digital Asset Sector

Nonetheless, it is worth noting that mainstream traditional houses in Hong Kong are edging into the digital asset world. There is a rising institutional client demand for these assets, alongside clearer regulatory guardrails.

According to reports, up to 52% of companies serving deep-pocketed clients in Hong Kong will invest in virtual asset channels, custody tools, or related products within the next three years.

Related: Hong Kong Prepares to Share Crypto Asset Data with Tax Authorities Worldwide

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