Announcement and guidance issued: 11 February 2026, during Consensus Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission announced measures to broaden regulated virtual asset services under its ASPIRe roadmap.
The measures address three areas: financing for eligible securities margin customers of licensed virtual asset brokers; a framework for licensed platforms developing perpetual-contract proposals for professional investors; and affiliated market makers on licensed platforms, subject to safeguards against conflicts of interest.
The perpetuals framework establishes expectations for proposals, product design, disclosures and operational controls. It should not be read as unrestricted retail access or approval of every platform's proposed product.
These developments provide regional context for Malaysia's own digital asset broking rules. The jurisdictions have different conditions: Malaysia's January practice note requires cash upfront purchases and prohibits broker margin facilities for digital asset trading.
Sources: SFC announcement, 11 February 2026 and Malaysia's January practice note.