Coindesk Logo

Hong Kong to Educate Public on Crypto and ICOs

Hong Kong to Educate Public on Crypto and ICOs

Hong Kong to Educate Public on Crypto and ICOs

Hong Kong authorities have launched a public education campaign on the risks associated with ICO and cryptocurrency investment.

Hong Kong authorities have launched a public education campaign on the risks associated with ICO and cryptocurrency investment.

Hong Kong authorities have launched a public education campaign on the risks associated with ICO and cryptocurrency investment.

AccessTimeIconJan 30, 2018, 12:00 PM
Updated Aug 18, 2021, 8:03 PM

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Hong Kong authorities have launched a campaign to educate the public on the risks associated with ICO and cryptocurrency investment.

Kicking off yesterday, the campaign started on Jan. 29 and was launched by the government's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Investor Education Centre (IEC), a subsidiary of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).

Aiming to reach citizens via a range of channels, including the city's metro system, TV and social media, the campaign comes as the latest government-led initiative in offering the public a holistic understanding of ICO and cryptocurrency investment following the recent rise in market interest.

"Through this series of public education initiatives, the government aims to provide the public with a correct and comprehensive understanding of ICOs and 'cryptocurrencies', so that they can thoroughly assess the risks before making transactions or investment decisions," said Joseph Chan, the under secretary of the FSTB.

In addition, the IEC has made ICO- and cryptocurrency-related resources available to the public through its website, called the Chin Family.

The initiative also follows recent warnings from the SFC which specified in September last year that tokens issued through ICOs could be regarded and thus regulated as securities. The financial regulator also stated last month that only licensed firms are allowed to offer bitcoin futures and other cryptocurrency-related financial instruments.

Hong Kong road crossing image via Shutterstock

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.