Bybit under Scrutiny: Hong Kong's Regulator Warns Crypto Investors

Thursday, 14/03/2024 | 13:19 GMT by Jared Kirui

The products offered by the crypto exchange that have raised concerns include futures contracts and options.

The SFC has vowed to take enforcement action against unlicensed crypto activities to protect investors.

Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has warned investors about Bybit and several of its offerings. The SFC highlighted the cryptocurrency exchange's lack of licensing, cautioning investors about the risks of engaging with the firm. The regulator has flagged 11 of Bybit's products as suspicious investments, raising concerns about potential risks to investors.

Specifically, the SFC flagged multiple products offered by Bybit, including futures contracts, options, leveraged tokens, and various other crypto-related services. These products have reportedly been marketed to investors in Hong Kong without proper authorization, potentially exposing them to significant financial risks.

Regulatory Compliance and Investor Protection

In Hong Kong, dealing in crypto-related products falls under regulated activities, requiring entities to obtain proper licensing from the SFC. The financial watchdog emphasized its commitment to taking enforcement action against unlicensed activities, stressing the importance of investor caution.

The SFC mentioned: "Investors may risk losing their entire investment made with an unlicensed entity if it ceases operation, collapses or otherwise suffers from any misappropriation of assets. Seeking recourse against entities that do not have a nexus with Hong Kong is likely to be difficult, and legal remedies may not be available."

Suspected Fraud and Regulatory Response

Recently, the SFC launched an investigation into BitForex, a cryptocurrency exchange, due to suspected fraud. The exchange 's sudden disappearance on February 23 and the reported disappearance of $57 million from its hot wallets raised significant concerns within the cryptocurrency community.

The SFC flagged BitForex and added it to its alert list due to the exchange's lack of licensing or registration to operate a Virtual Asset Trading Platform in Hong Kong. This move happened after BitForex abruptly went offline, leaving users unable to access their accounts and sparking fears of potential fraud.

Besides that, the SFC requested that the Hong Kong Police Force block access to BitForex's website links and social media pages. This collaborative effort aims to protect investors from potential fraudulent activities associated with unregistered cryptocurrency exchanges.