Hong Kong-based crypto firm HashKey has launched a new initiative to rate cryptocurrencies and exchanges in a bid to enhance market transparency and compliance. Cryptocurrency trading group HashKey has unveiled a new initiative to rate cryptocurrencies and crypto exchanges in Hong Kong to help the local crypto businesses align with regulatory framework for virtual assets, issued by the Securities and Futures Commission. In an X post on Thursday, March 27, HashKey said it partnered with the Hong Kong Virtual Asset Rating Company, which will provide three key services: virtual asset ratings, exchange ratings, and virtual asset indices. According to HashKey, the initiative aims to build an “industry evaluation ecosystem” offering “objective quantitative standards” for both exchanges and investors. The goal is to strengthen market transparency and create compliance benchmarks, which, in turn, could help solidify Hong Kong’s role as a global virtual asset hub. Per HashKey, the ratings would provide risk indicators to help investors make more informed decisions. You might also like: Fake ‘Hong Kong coin’ promoted by chief executive impersonator account Earlier in February, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission proposed increasing its staff, with a particular focus on monitoring virtual asset trading platforms, improving market surveillance, and ramping up enforcement. In its budget plan for the 2025–26 financial year, the SFC is seeking 15 new hires, eight of whom will be dedicated to virtual asset regulation. HashKey secured a $30 million investment from Beijing-based Gaorong Ventures, which valued the company at $1.5 billion. The investment came shortly after HashKey Capital, the group’s investment arm, received approval from the SFC to manage crypto investment products for high-net-worth clients. Read more: Hong Kong’s Gen Z prefers Bitcoin over property, survey reveals
