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Swiss SEBA Bank gets approval to provide crypto-related services in Hong Kong

  • SEBA said the licence allows it to deal in and distribute both traditional and virtual assets-related securities
  • SEBA will begin offering its services to institutional, professional investors and high-net-worth individuals in Hong Kong with immediate effect

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Swiss SEBA gets approval from SFC to offer crypto-related services in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP/Yik Yeung-man

The Hong Kong arm of Swiss cryptocurrency-focused SEBA Bank has received a licence from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to offer crypto-related services in the city as the government continues efforts to become a regional hub for digital assets.

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SEBA said the licence allows it to deal in and distribute both traditional and virtual assets-related securities, such as over-the-counter derivatives and structured products with underlying virtual assets, as well as advise on and conduct asset management for the securities in discretionary accounts, according to a statement on Wednesday.

SEBA first established its wholly-owned Hong Kong subsidiary in November 2022 as part of its Asia-Pacific expansion and said the approval marks its first regulated footprint in the region.

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“To have secured this licence from the SFC provides enormous potential for our business, owing to the well-established and defined regulatory framework that is present [in Hong Kong],” said SEBA Hong Kong’s CEO for Asia-Pacifc, Amy Yu.

The company added that it would begin offering its services to institutional and professional investors, corporate treasuries, funds, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals in Hong Kong with immediate effect.

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