[Hong Kong Plans to Establish Licensing System for Virtual Asset Trading, Custody, and Consulting; Amendment Bill to be Submitted in 2026] According to a Hong Kong press release, the main forum of Hong Kong Fintech Week x StartmeupHK 2026 concluded on November 3 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Chan Ho-lim, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, stated, “Certainty plays a crucial role in innovative development. Under the direction of the ‘Hong Kong Digital Asset Development Policy Declaration 2.0,’ we will establish a licensing system for virtual asset trading, custody, consulting, and management services, and submit an amendment bill to the Legislative Council in 2026 to clarify the compliance path for the market.” Furthermore, during a panel discussion, SFC Chief Executive Officer Leung Fung-yee outlined the SFC’s strategic vision, pointing out that artificial intelligence and tokenization will empower the development of Hong Kong’s financial markets, but it is essential to simultaneously protect investors and maintain market integrity. Leung also noted that facing the increasing threats related to artificial intelligence, the industry must enhance network resilience.