Expanding virtual asset ETFs strengthens Hong Kong's status as a financial hub

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Hong Kong regulators should permit spot exchange-traded funds for altcoins

Pando Finance holds financial licenses allowing it to allocate 100% of an investment portfolio directly to virtual assets

Pando Finance is scheduled to launch a spot Solana ETF on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on October 13, 2026, trading under the ticker 2831.HK

An HKEX circular dated October 9, 2026, confirmed the eligibility of Pando Finance's Solana ETF (2831.HK), along with its custody and settlement arrangements

Pando Finance's Solana ETF represents Pando Finance's third spot virtual asset ETF, joining its existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF products

Pando Finance's Solana ETF, trading under ticker 2831.HK, carries a headline management fee of 0.6% and an estimated ongoing charges ratio of 1.6%

Pando Finance's Solana ETF set an indicative issue price between HKD 7.8 and 8.0 per share, with trading in lots of 100 shares requiring an entry ticket of approximately HKD 800 at issue

PayPay's merchant network previously connected with nine other overseas payment services through HIVEX, primarily from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

To support Alkanes' user base, SUBFROST provides Chinese-language documentation, a Chinese metrics page, an official Chinese Telegram channel for DIESEL, and has hosted workshops and presentations in China and Hong Kong

The Alkanes user community is predominantly located in the Asia Pacific region, with a significant portion of discussions on X originating from Chinese-speaking users referencing the Hong Kong-based UniSat wallet.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Hong Kong's SFC and AFRC establishes formal mechanisms for information sharing, case referrals, mutual regulatory assistance, and coordinated inspections and investigations between the two agencies

The September 28, 2026 agreement between Hong Kong's SFC and AFRC replaces a previous February 2021 Memorandum of Understanding that covered only traditional financial entities

The investigation notification and consultation framework under the SFC-AFRC Memorandum of Understanding for licensed virtual asset service providers also extends to certain investigations involving auditors and financial-reporting compliance where regulated entities are involved

The updated Memorandum of Understanding is non-binding, operates within existing legal frameworks, and does not alter the statutory functions of either regulator or change Hong Kong law.

The Securities and Futures Commission directed licensed virtual asset service providers and internet brokers to adopt phishing-resistant authentication methods, such as passkeys and bound devices, no later than July 8, 2027.

The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council will apply the same professional standards and inspection regimes to auditors of virtual asset entities that govern auditors of publicly listed companies.

The Securities and Futures Commission has expanded its digital asset framework by outlining plans for crypto advisory services and introducing frameworks for virtual asset margin financing and perpetual contracts.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on September 28, 2026, expanding regulatory cooperation to licensed virtual asset service providers.

Auditors of Hong Kong licensed virtual asset service providers can be required to report qualifications, adverse statements, material financial issues, or regulatory failures directly to the Securities and Futures Commission.

The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council must notify and consult the Securities and Futures Commission before exercising specified investigative powers in cases involving a licensed virtual asset service provider.