CMB International Securities sets up crypto exchange in Hong Kong
21 August 2025 Hong Kong
Image: RealityForge/stock.adobe.com
CMB International Securities, a subsidiary of the China Merchants Bank (CMB) and an asset management, corporate finance, and wealth management services provider, has initiated a cryptocurrency exchange in Hong Kong.
The bank announced over WeChat that it has started providing virtual asset trading services.
It is the first Chinese bank-affiliated securities company to receive a virtual asset service provider license, after its application was approved by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) over a month ago.
CMB’s Hong Kong-based crypto exchange enables 24/7 trading for three major cryptocurrencies: bitcoin, ethereum, and tether.
The bank has stated plans to incorporate conventional stock trading with digital assets and fintech applications.
The firm is headquartered in Shenzhen, where crypto trading has been banned by the Chinese government since 2017.
Hong Kong is developing as a regional crypto hub as it runs under its own regulations as part of China’s “one country, two systems” policy.
Hong Kong authorities have prioritised crypto regulation with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority finalising its regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers at the beginning of the month.
The new rules, implemented over a six-month period from 1 August, outlaws the trading of unlicensed fiat-referenced stablecoins to lenders.
The bank announced over WeChat that it has started providing virtual asset trading services.
It is the first Chinese bank-affiliated securities company to receive a virtual asset service provider license, after its application was approved by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) over a month ago.
CMB’s Hong Kong-based crypto exchange enables 24/7 trading for three major cryptocurrencies: bitcoin, ethereum, and tether.
The bank has stated plans to incorporate conventional stock trading with digital assets and fintech applications.
The firm is headquartered in Shenzhen, where crypto trading has been banned by the Chinese government since 2017.
Hong Kong is developing as a regional crypto hub as it runs under its own regulations as part of China’s “one country, two systems” policy.
Hong Kong authorities have prioritised crypto regulation with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority finalising its regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers at the beginning of the month.
The new rules, implemented over a six-month period from 1 August, outlaws the trading of unlicensed fiat-referenced stablecoins to lenders.
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