Digital Assets

ZA Bank to launch virtual asset trading services for retail investors under new licensing regime

ZA Bank, Hong Kong’s No.1 virtual bank[1], has unveiled its plan to introduce virtual asset trading services for retail investors. With this move, ZA Bank is set to support the Hong Kong SAR government’s vision to develop a vibrant sector and ecosystem for virtual assets.

ZA Bank’s plan was formulated in response to the growing demand for virtual assets in the city[2]. By partnering with Hong Kong-licensed virtual asset exchanges, ZA Bank aims to obtain the required regulatory approvals to enable retail investors to trade virtual assets by using fiat currency within the ZA Bank App.

 

Ronald lu, CEO of ZA Bank, said: “We welcome the licensing guidelines issued yesterday by the Hong Kong SFC, and we are excited to offer the new investment opportunities brought by virtual assets to our users. We believe that virtual assets hold the potential to become a significant asset class in the future. By offering virtual asset trading services, we will give our users the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve with ZA Bank under a regulated environment.”

 

This move comes as part of ZA Bank’s strategic expansion plan to provide a comprehensive suite of financial services. In addition to virtual asset trading, ZA Bank also plans to introduce US stock trading services in due course. These new offerings will further strengthen ZA Bank’s position as an innovative wealth management platform, catering to the evolving needs of its users.

“Users can look forward to a more diverse banking product suite as we continue to evolve in our mission to become a future bank for now,” added Iu.

As a licensed bank in Hong Kong, ZA Bank adheres to the highest standard of customer security and regulatory compliance. Upon obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for virtual asset trading services, ZA Bank will work closely with relevant stakeholders to implement appropriate safeguards to ensure the safety and integrity of its services.

These measures will encompass collaborating with trusted third-party providers, implementing advanced security protocols, and adhering to strict anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. In addition, ZA Bank plans to educate its users on the risks and benefits associated with virtual asset trading, to ensure that customers can make informed decisions.

[1] “No. 1 Virtual Bank” refers to ZA Bank’s leading position derived from the total number of users, deposits, assets and income as of 31 December 2022 among the eight licensed virtual banks (Source: Annual reports of eight virtual banks)

[2] A study by the Investor and Financial Education Council revealed that some respondents plan to invest in virtual assets, with one in eleven (9%) expressing interest in holding virtual assets in the next 12 months. Source: https://www.ifec.org.hk/web/en/about-ifec/press-release/pr-20221003.page