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Hong Kong to enhance digital asset regulation in 18 months

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The Hong Kong government has announced plans to significantly enhance its regulatory framework for digital assets over the next 18 months. This move aims to bolster investor protection, ensure market integrity, and position Hong Kong as a leading hub for cryptocurrency and blockchain innovation.

The new regulatory measures will focus on expanding oversight of digital asset trading platforms, enhancing compliance requirements, and implementing stricter anti-money laundering (AML) protocols. The government has outlined a comprehensive strategy to address emerging risks in the rapidly evolving digital asset space and to foster a more secure and transparent market environment.

Key aspects of the upcoming regulations include:

1. Enhanced Oversight: The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) will extend its jurisdiction to cover more types of digital asset activities, including unregulated exchanges and trading platforms.

2. Stricter Compliance: Digital asset service providers will face increased regulatory scrutiny, with new compliance obligations aimed at preventing fraud and protecting investors.

3. AML Measures: The regulations will introduce more robust anti-money laundering measures to combat illicit activities and ensure that digital asset transactions adhere to global financial standards.

4. Innovation Support: While tightening regulations, Hong Kong also plans to support innovation in the blockchain space, encouraging the development of new technologies while safeguarding against potential risks.

The initiative reflects Hong Kong’s commitment to maintaining its competitive edge in the global financial landscape while addressing the challenges posed by the growing digital asset sector. The regulatory overhaul is expected to enhance market stability and attract more institutional investors to the region.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, noting that clearer and more comprehensive regulations could help mitigate risks and provide a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the digital asset market. However, there are concerns about the potential impact on smaller firms and startups operating in the space.

As the regulatory framework takes shape over the coming months, stakeholders will be closely monitoring its implementation and impact on the broader digital asset ecosystem.

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Celo, Chainlink, Hyperlane launch crosschain USDT on OP Superchain

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Celo, Chainlink, Hyperlane, and Velodrome have introduced a cross-chain version of Tether’s USDT on the OP Superchain. The newly launched “Super USDT” is backed by reserves locked on Celo and utilizes Chainlink’s Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol and Hyperlane for seamless movement across networks. This innovation aims to enhance liquidity and reduce the fragmentation of stablecoins across the ecosystem.

The initiative aligns with Optimism’s goal of creating a unified, interoperable Superchain. Unlike traditional bridged USDT, which struggles with compatibility, Super USDT is designed to integrate with upcoming interchain standards and future native USDT upgrades. This is expected to simplify stablecoin transactions and increase adoption within the Superchain framework.

Chainlink’s business officer, Johann Eid, emphasized the significance of this development, noting that Chainlink’s Data Feeds have already secured billions in USDT lending markets. With the introduction of Super USDT, users will have greater flexibility in utilizing the stablecoin across multiple Optimism-based chains.

Tether’s USDT remains the dominant stablecoin, accounting for over 61% of the $231 billion stablecoin market. With stablecoin adoption surpassing Visa and Mastercard’s transaction volumes, interoperability solutions like Super USDT are becoming increasingly critical for ensuring seamless and efficient digital asset transfers. Read more.

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SEC Enforcement Division closes investigation into Robinhood Crypto

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has closed its investigation into Robinhood Crypto, informing the company on February 21 that no enforcement action would be recommended. This decision comes less than a year after Robinhood received a Wells notice regarding potential securities violations.

Robinhood Markets’ compliance officer, Dan Gallagher, criticized the investigation, stating that the company has always adhered to federal securities laws. The SEC had been examining Robinhood’s crypto operations since issuing the Wells notice in May 2024, which suggested possible enforcement action.

In January 2025, Robinhood reached a $45 million settlement with the SEC over multiple securities law violations. The company admitted to some findings in the SEC’s order but has since urged regulators to move away from a “regulation by enforcement” approach.

This development reflects a broader shift in the SEC’s stance on crypto regulation, with growing calls for clearer guidelines. Some experts speculate that pending enforcement actions against other major crypto firms could also be reconsidered. Read more.

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Hong Kong investment firm’s board gives nod to more Bitcoin buying

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HK Asia Holdings Limited has expanded its Bitcoin holdings to nearly 9 BTC, following board approval for additional purchases. The Hong Kong-based investment firm acquired approximately 7.88 BTC on February 20, spending around $761,705. This comes after its initial 1 BTC purchase a week earlier, which significantly boosted its stock price.

The company financed its Bitcoin acquisition using internal resources, bringing its total investment in the asset to roughly $861,500. The firm emphasized its growing interest in digital assets amid increasing cryptocurrency adoption in the business world.

Following the Bitcoin purchases, HK Asia’s stock price surged by nearly 93% after its first acquisition and continued to rise by 5.7% on February 24. If the trend holds, the stock could surpass its all-time high from June 2019, reflecting strong investor confidence in the firm’s crypto strategy.

HK Asia voluntarily disclosed its Bitcoin acquisitions, even though they remained below the legal threshold requiring disclosure. This move aligns with a broader trend of publicly traded firms incorporating cryptocurrency into their asset holdings.

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