Key Points
- Hong Kong’s HSBC is set to offer its customers Bitcoin and Ethereum Exchange-Traded Funds.
- Hong Kong has been asking banks to warm up to crypto customers more and be vigilant in scouting for such emerging markets and supporting them.
- The development comes as a race by TradFi institutions in the US to offer similar products begins.
Hong Kong is spearheading crypto adoption in Asia as banks increasingly support the crypto industry. HSBC has now announced that it will offer customers Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
Crypto adoption and regulation accelerates in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is taking the front in the regulation and adoption of crypto assets in the world. It has been asking its banks to support and offer crypto clients financial services. In June, It called out several banks, including Standard Chartered and HSBC, for gating their banking infrastructure from crypto organizations in the region.
It called a meeting asking all banks to be more active in the scouting and enabling of emerging technologies like the crypto industry. In that meeting, Hong Kong’s central bank explained that emerging industries like crypto mostly take a good market share. Also, it sensitized the banks that crypto may be here to stay, making it prudent to associate with it.
HSBC has announced that it would look forward to introducing Bitcoin and Ethereum Exchange Traded Funds to its customers. This move is a hallmark as other regions have yet to allow such from big banks. However, traditional finance companies have started a race to offer similar products and services.
This move is expected to broaden access to crypto assets for Hong Kong residents. These residents can only explore ETFs like the CSOP Bitcoin Futures ETF, CSOP Ethereum futures ETF, and the Samsung Bitcoin Futures Active ETF.
HSBC was among the banks the Hong Kong regulators questioned for not offering crypto services last month. However, it has been in the process of gearing up for it. It has launched the Virtual Asset Investor Education Centre for investors to read and confirm the risks associated with the virtual asset industry.
It will also allow its users to go ahead and use the HK Easy Invest app, HSB CHK Mobile Banking app, and the Online banking infrastructure to access its ETF products. However, no more official information is yet to be offered regarding the timeline of the product’s availability and other products that could be added in the future.
Keep watching Fintech Express for more updates on crypto and other fintech-related developments.