Support in obtaining the Hong Kong crypto license, full set-up turnkey solution. Includes a company, the SFO or VATP license in Hong Kong, and a bank account.
30 minutes call with one of our crypto licensing consultants about the crypto license in Hong Kong.
Initial consultation with our experts
Company registration in Hong Kong
Assistance in applying for the crypto license in Hong Kong
Legal support
Assistance in opening a bank account
Assistance in opening a local office in Hong Kong
Assistance in securing an agreement with a KYC software provider
Assistance in hiring a local AML officer
Assistance in redacting the mandatory compliance documents for the application
Complete set-up of a licensed crypto company in Hong Kong with a bank account
Initial consultation with our experts
Company registration in Hong Kong
Assistance in applying for the crypto license in Hong Kong
Legal support
Assistance in opening a bank account
Assistance in opening a local office in Hong Kong
Assistance in securing an agreement with a KYC software provider
Assistance in hiring a local AML officer
Assistance in redacting the mandatory compliance documents for the application
Projects like yours secured a Crypto Licenses with Rengangyongsheng
discover their experience of working with us
A perfect fit for our business
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Best for Crypto Licenses
Best company for Crypto Licenses! Kudos to the team for making the incorporation of our company really smooth
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Fast and Reliable
Quick set-up and straightforward process. It was a smooth process, we are happy to have chosen Rengang as our Partner for incorporations, globally.
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They are undoubtedly top-level experts when it comes to licensing and registrations in the crypto and web3 industry. Highly recommend!
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Excels at adapting to challenges
Rengang excels at adapting to challenges and demonstrates a perfect understanding of our business needs.
Alexander
A fruitful cooperation
As a result of the fruitful cooperation with Rengang, Yellow Card obtained a VASP registration, fast and without any legal complications.
Jack
PRICING AND PROCESS CRYPTO LICENSE HONG KONG 2025
Crypto regulation/legislation in Hong Kong
How to get the crypto license Hong Kong: a turnkey solution for obtaining the HK crypto license. Learn more about the regulatory requirements, costs, and taxes.
General information about the Hong Kong crypto license
The VATP crypto license in Hong Kong, standing for Virtual Assets Trading Platform, is a crypto license that can be obtained by Hong Kong crypto companies. The laws and rules applying to cryptocurrency businesses are enforced and issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), which is the dedicated regulator for crypto activities.
From June 2023, the VATP framework has been overhauled, with the addition of a dedicated chapter for virtual assets in the Anti Money Laundering Ordinance (AMLO) and the issuance of guidelines for VATP by the SFC. For this reason, the Hong Kong crypto license is also sometimes referred to as the AMLO license.
Hong Kong previously tolerated crypto activity for companies registered under the rule of the Securities and Futures Ordinance. The few companies that secured and still operate under this framework before switching to the new one are referred to as SFO licensees.
To obtain a Hong Kong crypto license, the project must establish a company in the city-state. It must have an office and domestic personnel (secretary, executive director, licensed representative, risk manager, information technology manager…). The company must hold a share capital of at least 5,000,000 HKD at all times.
Since the announcement of this new crypto license framework, many projects have stated their willingness to obtain the Hong Kong crypto license. The Asian city is reputed as a major financial and IT center with very favorable business conditions, making it an attractive jurisdiction.
Hong Kong Crypto License: Process and Duration
The process of obtaining a Hong Kong crypto license has been made comprehensive by the SFC. It is not an easy license to obtain, as it requires a real effort to establish the activity in Hong Kong (office, secretary, 1 executive director or more), integrity and transparency, a high level of share capital (5.000.000 HKD, which is approximately 650.000 USD) and a competent team that has been approved by the regulatory authorities.
The duration is dependent on the quality of the application and the responsiveness of the crypto project in answering the questions and expectations of the Hong Kong SFC. An emphasis is made on the law of fitness and property. This means that individuals and companies associated with the project will be scrutinized, among other things, on their competence, financial solvability, and absence of criminal records.
Numerous policies and procedures must be prepared in advance, preferably by experienced compliance lawyers and in cooperation with experienced officers, at every level of the activity:
Cybersecurity assessment, technological audit;
Financial statements and projections;
AML-CFT and KYC systems, controls, supervision, and reporting mechanisms;
Risk assessment for every element above, overseen by a dedicated risk manager.
The different types of crypto licenses in Hong Kong
The framework in Hong Kong is called “Virtual Assets Trading Platform Operators”, as it only regulates crypto exchange platforms. The framework is composed of two licenses:
The SFO license (until June 2023), which means that the company was compliant with the Securities and Futures Ordinance, a law that does not specifically address cryptocurrency, but financial instruments and derivatives;
The AMLO license (from June 2023), which means that the company is compliant with the newly updated AML Ordinance of June 2023, whose chapter 5B directly addresses the topic of virtual assets.
These two licenses are similar in what they allow a company to do. Starting from June 2023, it is only possible to apply for the AMLO license. Holders of the SFO license have been requested to prepare the transition for 2024.
Trading Platforms are, however, not the only crypto activity permitted in Hong Kong. The SFC Guidelines describe three other types of licenses:
Virtual asset fund manager;
Intermediaries dealing in or advising on virtual assets;
Intermediaries distributing virtual asset-related products.
These licenses have specific sets of requirements in addition to the general VATP framework.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO THE HONG KONG CRYPTO PERMIT
How to obtain a crypto license in Hong Kong
To obtain a Hong Kong crypto exchange license, a project should be methodical. The team must acknowledge the different steps required to successfully get licensed as a virtual assets trading platform operator.
STAGE1 2-3 weeks
REGISTRATION OF A (LIMITED LIABILITY) COMPANY IN HONG KONG
The crypto license in Hong Kong is only possible to obtain for a limited liability company or a joint stock venture registered in Hong Kong. This stage should be the preparation of the legal structure and organization of the project.
Setting up a company in Hong Kong;
Payment of the share capital of 5,000,000 HKD (to be maintained at all times);
Appointment of at least two directors, one of whom should be a resident of Hong Kong;
Legal address and office space within Hong Kong;
Preparation of an organizational chart with detailed ownership of every legal and natural person in the project;
Local Secretary.
STAGE2 on request
APPOINTMENT OF THE RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS AND LICENSED REPRESENTATIVES
One of the particular aspects of the Hong Kong crypto license is the need to also license individuals working in a licensed company. Though this process is usually conducted simultaneously along with the crypto license, it must be prepared in its own way.
Appointment of 2 Licensed Representatives, one of whom is an executive director and the other is a resident of Hong Kong;
Appointment of 1 or more Responsible Officers, whose role is to enforce compliance and risk management at every level of the activity;
Provide detailed information on every participant (professional background, resume, letters of reference, etc);
Every participant must pass the Fitness and Property assessment by the SFC to be approved;
Every change in the structure must be declared in advance, and the new members must receive the approval of the SFC.
STAGE3 on request
COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION
The crypto project can submit its application once it is confident that all its systems, personnel, and policies are compliant with the requirements. The licensing process is partly subjective, meaning that the SFC is free to make its decision even if the requirements on paper are met.
Policies and procedures compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Ordinance;
Risk management procedures, assessment, and appointment of a risk manager;
Cybersecurity audit, processes, and controls to safeguard customer data and assets;
Demonstrate solvability through financial audits and projections;
Appointment of an information technology manager.
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