Retail investors with a capital base of at most HK$8 million (US$1 million) will soon be able to gain exposure to a crypto-based Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) product as the Huobi Tech asset management firm has reportedly filed for such a product with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
Huobi Tech, an independent asset manager with no affiliation with the cryptocurrency trading outfit, Huobi Global, is riding on the recent allowance granted by Hong Kong authorities to extend the accessibility to regulated crypto ETF products beyond the reach of only professional traders or investors.
To get “all the trading and redemption done directly in Hong Kong … would give better protection to investors, as the fund will be regulated under Hong Kong law,” said Huobi Tech’s senior vice-president Romeo Wang, without commenting on Huobi’s application. “We will keep close and positive communications with regulators including the SFC” to “obtain the proper licences and approvals.”
The demand for related crypto products is growing at a fast pace the world over. The permission by the Hong Kong authorities to permit the trading of these unique ETF products is a sign that the government’s focus is essentially on powering the growth of these developing asset classes across the board.
Cryptocurrencies are still considered relatively volatile and risky as an investment asset. Many regulators, including the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), have not approved a full-fledged spot Bitcoin ETF product, with a slew of rejections.
Even though ProShares and VanEck are actively managing Bitcoin futures-based ETF as approved by the SEC, the more conservative investors are still awaiting a full-fledged Bitcoin or spot crypto ETF, a milestone that the SFC has proven to be well ahead of the US regulator per its recent disposition.
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