<p>Key stakeholders in Hong Kong’s financial world are contemplating a transformative shift in the Chinese autonomous territory’s digital asset strategy that concerns furthering initial coin offerings (ICOs).</p><h2 id="header-0">Room for improvement</h2><p>In a recent <a href="https://www.hksfpa.org/file.aspx?clid&#61;143&amp;atid&#61;1659&amp;lan&#61;1" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">letter</a> signed by Chen Zhihua, President of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Professionals Association (HKSFPA) and published to the HKSFPA website on Wednesday, the introduction of an ICO mechanism as a potential catalyst for the city’s economic revival has been proposed.</p><p>The letter, which provided the HKSFPA’s “opinions on the 2024–2025 budget,” included the ICO suggestion as recommendation №10 on a list of various proposals. The suggestion comes amid ongoing efforts to navigate the economic challenges posed by the pandemic. Zhihua acknowledges the developmental approach taken by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee where financial sector strategy is concerned, but emphasizes the industry group’s belief in the room for improvement that exists to stimulate Hong Kong’s financial sector further.</p><h2 id="header-1">Formalizing ICOs</h2><p>Formalizing ICOs in Hong Kong could establish a supportive environment for crypto startups and investors seeking regulated and secure opportunities. The proposal aligns with a broader call for government engagement in economic recovery and policy-making, emphasizing a collaborative approach toward the crypto sector. This inclusive stance signals a forward-thinking perspective that could lead to more supportive policies and frameworks, fostering a conducive environment for crypto innovation and growth.</p><p>Reflecting on the history of ICOs, the letter acknowledges the fundraising method’s evolution since the attention garnered by the Mastercoin ICO in 2013 and Ethereum’s significant milestone in 2014. The ICO boom of 2017 saw projects like EOS and Tezos raising substantial funds, accompanied by both enthusiasm for fundraising ease and concerns about investor protection due to minimal regulation.</p><h2 id="header-2">Fraud concerns</h2><p>While the ICO boom faced regulatory scrutiny and witnessed instances of fraud and scams, a progressive approach by financial regions such as Hong Kong could reshape the global perception of ICOs. The letter suggests that, under favorable terms, ICOs could play a pivotal role in revitalizing the digital asset landscape.</p><p>Zhihua underscores the importance of addressing potential challenges by urgently reviewing and enhancing anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing legislation. This cautious approach aims to ensure that ICOs in Hong Kong adhere to established frameworks, avoiding the pitfalls associated with unregulated fundraising.</p><p>While that’s the HKSFPA’s position, the initial flurry of ICOs a number of years ago involved many projects proposed by scammers and fraudsters. At the time, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)<a href="https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2018/04/16/downright-fraud-hong-kong-securities-watchdog-warns-on-icos/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"> recognized</a> the development as “downright fraud” and put pressure on exchanges to delist many tokens.</p><p>One other related element that the letter proposes is in integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) and Islamic finance elements into investment immigration policies. This forward-thinking approach reflects a growing awareness of ethical and sustainable investment practices that could potentially position Hong Kong to set new standards for responsible investment.</p>

Hong Kong securities group proposes ICOs as growth opportunity

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