Hong Kong-based digital asset firms OSL and HashKey Exchange have received approval from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to offer their services to retail investors.

These two entities are the first to receive the approval since the SFC announced that it will soon allow licensed trading platform operators to serve retail investors in May this year.

OSL said in a statement that it has began offering retail investors the ability to register on its platform and buy/sell digital asset products, starting with the popular cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Ethereum.

“We are extremely proud of this achievement. This is a significant first-mover advantage, and a direct result of our strategy of putting regulation and compliance first.

 

It demonstrates how regulation is the foundation of future growth and mainstream acceptance in the digital asset space.”

said Hugh Madden, CEO of OSL.

HashKey Exchange has officially opened its pre-registration for retail investors. In addition to supporting fiat currency deposits and withdrawals, HashKey Exchange will establish more partnerships with top tier banks to provide convenient fiat currency funding and withdrawal services for users. The firm also announced a brand revamp.

The exchange has also launched the HashKey Brokerage which offers high liquidity bulk trading for investors and high-net-worth clients.

“With the establishment of licenced trading platforms and the further clarity of regulatory frameworks in Hong Kong, the industry as a whole will witness increased transparency, leading to a significant boost in investor confidence.

 

As an industry leader, we will continue to fulfill our commitments in compliance, safety and security, ensuring our user benefits are fully protected and creating a trading platform tailored to retail users.”

said Livio Weng, COO of HashKey Group.