Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ), has made a bold prediction after China’s Central Television (CCTV) aired coverage of crypto, describing it as a “big deal” that could lead to a bull run in the market. The coverage included an announcement from the Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission stating that a mandatory licensing system for virtual asset trading platforms would be implemented from June 1st.

Binance Braces For Bull Run?

Binance’s CEO claimed that the news has generated significant buzz in Chinese-speaking communities, with many speculating that the coverage could lead to increased adoption of cryptocurrencies and a surge in prices. This is not the first time that coverage of this kind has been linked to bull runs in the crypto market, according to CZ.

The announcement from the Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission is also significant, as it signals a move towards greater regulation of virtual asset trading platforms. This could help to improve investor confidence in the sector and pave the way for wider adoption of cryptocurrencies.

The move towards greater regulation in Hong Kong could also have implications for the wider crypto industry. With regulators around the world grappling with how to regulate cryptocurrencies, the Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission’s decision could provide a useful blueprint for other jurisdictions.

Hong Kong To Issue Crypto Licences

According to a Reuters report, Hong Kong’s securities regulator, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), has announced that it will introduce a new licensing regime for digital asset companies from June 1st, which will include measures to protect retail investors. The move comes after a year of turmoil in the cryptocurrency sector, with the collapse of the crypto exchange FTX last year being a significant blow.

Under the new regime, all trading platforms and exchanges will be required to apply for a license, with fines and jail terms for those who fail to do so. The SFC has also proposed various investor protection measures, including setting an exposure limit for retail investors and only allowing retail trading in highly liquid tokens that have been issued for at least one year.

In addition, companies will be required to perform client checks to ensure that retail traders from China, where crypto trading is banned, are not accepted. The SFC has emphasized that operators have a responsibility to comply with the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which they provide services.

The new system will also cover the marketing of services from unlicensed platforms, with the SFC warning that it is an offense to issue advertisements related to an unlicensed platform. Elizabeth Wong, head of the SFC’s fintech unit, stated that this would cover social media influencers personally promoting services of unlicensed platforms to Hong Kong investors.

The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) also recently unveiled a global approach to regulating crypto assets, highlighting the need for greater consumer protection. The collapse of FTX last year fueled concerns that consumers were not sufficiently protected, and the new regulatory regime in Hong Kong seeks to address these concerns.

Overall, despite the uncertainties with the current crypto market conditions, Binance CEO CZ’s bullish outlook on the recent coverage of crypto by CCTV and the Hong Kong Securities Regulatory Commission’s announcement is a positive sign for the industry.

Featured image from Unsplash, a chart from TradingView.com