Guotai Junan International has been awarded a virtual asset trading license in Hong Kong, pioneering Chinese brokerage firms.

On June 25, 2025, Guotai Junan International Holdings Limited announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Guotai Junan Securities (Hong Kong) Limited has obtained approval from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission to upgrade its existing Type 1 regulated activity license to provide virtual asset trading services. This breakthrough makes Guotai Junan International the first Chinese-funded brokerage in Hong Kong authorized to offer comprehensive virtual asset trading services, opening up convenient access for its clients to directly trade mainstream cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether.

After the news was announced, the market reacted enthusiastically. The stock price of Guotai Junan International surged over 80% right after the opening, with an intraday peak increase exceeding 100%, fully reflecting investors' strong confidence. At the same time, the stock price of Huashan Co., which holds 67.6 million shares of Guotai Junan International's circulating shares, also rose in response, with an intraday increase surpassing 8%, showing the market's broad optimism towards the virtual asset trading sector.

Strategic Layout of the Virtual Asset Market in Hong Kong

The recent license upgrade by Guotai Junan International is an important part of Hong Kong's strategy to build a global core hub for virtual assets. Since the release of the "Hong Kong Virtual Asset Development Policy Declaration" in 2022, Hong Kong has established a regulatory framework for digital assets that balances innovation and risk prevention through a series of measures. In February 2025, the regulatory roadmap published by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission further clarified the policy direction to support the development of the virtual asset market. In May, the passage of the "Stablecoin Regulation Draft" laid the foundation for Hong Kong to gain an advantage in cross-border payment and currency internationalization competition.

Against this background, Guotai Junan International's breakthrough is not only a milestone in the company's own development but also reflects the trend of traditional financial institutions actively responding to Hong Kong's policy direction and deeply participating in the virtual asset industry. Leveraging the innovative synergy and open market advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hong Kong is accelerating its efforts to consolidate its status as a global virtual asset hub.

Comprehensive Services: Perfecting the Virtual Asset Ecosystem

Guotai Junan International has been granted a license that allows it to provide virtual asset trading services, offer professional advice during the trading process, as well as issue and distribute virtual asset-related products, including over-the-counter derivatives. This makes it the first Hong Kong-based Chinese brokerage firm capable of providing comprehensive virtual asset trading services, covering multiple dimensions such as brokerage services, consulting services, and product issuance.

In fact, Guotai Junan International has already begun its layout in the virtual asset field. In 2024, the company took the lead in launching structured products based on virtual asset spot ETFs and was authorized to conduct virtual asset trading platform introduction agent business. In the first half of 2025, the company further obtained permission to distribute tokenized securities to clients and provide related professional advice, while also initiating digital bond issuance business. This license upgrade achieved a closed-loop layout from product design, trading services to consulting support.

Clients of Guotai Junan International will be able to trade mainstream cryptocurrencies and stablecoins directly through its platform, enjoying a seamlessly integrated comprehensive account service. This innovation not only enhances the customer experience but also provides new momentum for the company to attract young investors and consolidate its competitive position in the Hong Kong financial market.

Industry analysts believe that more brokerages with subsidiaries engaged in international business are expected to complete the upgrade of the Type 1 license in the future, entering the field of virtual asset trading services, further improving the ecological environment of the Hong Kong market. Leading brokerages with a strong customer base entering the market will promote the continuous development of the cryptocurrency and virtual asset trading ecosystem in Hong Kong.

Globally, traditional financial institutions are entering the virtual asset industry with unprecedented breadth and depth. In the brokerage business, several securities firms have opened cryptocurrency trading functions for their clients. In the asset management sector, international financial giants have launched Bitcoin spot ETFs, and institutions in Hong Kong have developed new products such as tokenized currency funds. In investment banking, virtual asset companies are going public one after another, and industry mergers and acquisitions are active, bringing new opportunities for brokerages.

Although the virtual asset market has a broad prospect, its high volatility also places higher demands on investors. The professional consulting services provided by Guotai Junan International will help clients better understand market dynamics and make rational investment decisions. The company also reminds shareholders and potential investors to act cautiously when buying and selling company securities.