OKX announced that it would discontinue its centralized cryptocurrency trading services for residents of Hong Kong effective May 31, 2024. The decision follows the withdrawal of its application for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license, citing strategic business considerations. The exchange emphasized that while trading and deposit services would end, Hong Kong customers could still withdraw their funds and access OKX’s Web3 self-hosted wallet services.
The service discontinuation is scheduled for May 31, 2024. OKX had initially submitted its VASP license application on November 16, but withdrew it on May 24.
The withdrawal and service changes specifically affect OKX’s operations in Hong Kong. This move is in line with regulatory requirements and follows a similar retreat from the Indian market announced two months prior.
OKX has decided to pull back from providing centralized trading services in Hong Kong after reevaluating its business strategy and considering the regulatory environment. The firm will maintain its withdrawal services and its Web3 wallet for Hong Kong users. Additionally, all open trading orders will be canceled after the May 31 deadline, and the involved funds will be returned to users’ accounts.
OKX’s retreat from Hong Kong is part of a broader pattern where several cryptocurrency exchanges are reevaluating their positions in highly regulated markets. Similar to their exit from the Indian market due to increasing regulatory pressures, the decision to stop services in Hong Kong reflects the complexities and challenges that crypto exchanges face in adapting to different regulatory frameworks globally. Only two exchanges, OSL Exchange and HashKey Exchange, have secured a VASP license in Hong Kong, indicating a stringent regulatory environment. This scenario underscores the ongoing global discourse and evolving regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies, affecting how exchanges operate and manage their international services.
