Hong Kong regulator approves first crypto company license since June

Policy Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email Hong Kong regulator approves first crypto company license since June Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) granted Victory Fintech a license. By Jamie Crawley | Edited by Sheldon Reback Feb 16, 2026, 5:01 p.m. Make us preferred on Google Hong Kong (Manson Yim/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk) What to know : Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) granted a crypto license to Victory Fintech (VDX). There are now 12 approved platforms on the SFC's registry of approved crypto firms. The regime has a reputation for being one of the strictest among major financial jurisdictions. Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) granted a crypto license to Victory Fintech (VDX), an affiliate entity of publicly listed financial services firm Victory Securities (8540). Victory won permission to operate a digital asset trading platform on Friday, according to the SFC's registry of licensed crypto firms , the first addition since June 17 last year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW Don't miss another story. Subscribe to the State of Crypto Newsletter today . See all newsletters Sign me up By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk products and you agree to our terms & conditions and privacy policy . Hong Kong introduced its current regime for the regulation of companies providing crypto services in 2023, with Hashkey Exchange and OSL Digital Securities the first two parties to receive approval. There are now 12 approved platforms on the registry, including New York Stock Exchange-listed Bullish (BLSH), which is also the parent company of CoinDesk. The regime has earned a reputation for being one of the strictest among major financial jurisdictions. Prominent exchanges OKX and Bybit both withdrew their applications for licensing in May 2024. Hong Kong Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission SFC More For You Crypto mining can help energy volatility, Paradigm responds to policy onslaught By Jesse Hamilton | Edited by Nikhilesh De 1 hour ago As U.S. lawmakers consider limits on data and mining facilities because of energy usage, the industry wants to explain that their crypto worries are unfounded. What to know : Crypto investment firm Paradigm has a response to recent policymaker efforts to target bitcoin mining, arguing in a report that they're missing the point. Bitcoin miners need cheap electricity and can use it as off-peak times and from inexpensive, renewable sources, according to Paradigm, which has an investment stake in miner Genesis Digital Assets. Read full story Latest Crypto News Crypto mining can help energy volatility, Paradigm responds to policy onslaught 1 hour ago From Wall Street to Web3: This is crypto’s year of integration, Silicon Valley Bank says 2 hours ago Harvard cuts bitcoin exposure by 20%, adds new ether position 2 hours ago Nexo re-enters the U.S. market three years after exiting due to regulatory issues 2 hours ago Bitcoin could fall to $10,000 as U.S. recession risk builds, Mike McGlone says 2 hours ago Hive, Riot earnings reports, Fed rate-decision minutes: Crypto Week Ahead 4 hours ago Top Stories Strategy says it can survive even if bitcoin drops to $8,000 and will 'equitize' debt 7 hours ago Ether steadies after $540 million sell wave to outperform wider crypto market 6 hours ago Metaplanet operating profit to rise 81% in 2026 after soaring 17-fold last year on options writing 5 hours ago Crypto market drowns in red as bitcoin falls to $68,000 10 hours ago Binance's CZ echoes Consensus panelists on lack of privacy blocking crypto adoption 8 hours ago