Regulation
HKEX Approves CSOP’s Bitcoin Inverse Product Strengthening Crypto Hub
On July 23, the CSOP Bitcoin Future Daily (-1x) Inverse Product (7376.HK) will be listed as the first Bitcoin inverse futures product in Asia.
CSOP Asset Management has launched the new exchange traded fund (ETF) which is designed to help investors profit from the decline in the price of Bitcoin. This is part of the company’s growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, which saw the company launch the CSOP Bitcoin Futures ETF (3066.HK) in December 2022.
Mechanism and product details
The CSOP Bitcoin Futures Daily Index Tracking (-1x) Inverse Product aims to provide investment returns that are opposite to the daily performance of the S&P Bitcoin Futures Index. The Inverse Product achieves this through a futures-based replication strategy, meaning it invests in spot-month Bitcoin futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
According to a July 22 publication by CSOP, the product will be Free on the HKEX at an estimated price of HKD 7.8 per unit. This product allows professional investors to make profits from declines in the price of Bitcoin, particularly declines.
HKEX has been engaged in spot crypto ETF trading since the last quarter of 2022 with the launch of CSOP’s Bitcoin Futures ETF and Ether Futures ETF. Both products have the same underlying, namely cash-settled Bitcoin and Ether futures contracts on the CME.
Samsung Asset Management Hong Kong entered the fray just a month later with its Bitcoin Futures ETF in January 2023. Across these three futures products, HKEX crypto ETFs had garnered a total of HK$1.3 billion, or the equivalent of $170 million, as of April 29.
Brian Roberts of HKEX Exchange suggested that the exchange is ready to list leveraged and inverse cryptocurrencies. He stressed the need to offer a variety of instruments for investments in the ever-evolving cryptocurrency market.
Regulatory environment and investor caution
Currently, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is already implementing regulation of the sector. The SFC has developed a licensing framework for centralized cryptocurrency trading platforms and has pre-approved 11 entities. However, 13 exchanges, including HKX, have also withdrawn their applications due to compliance issues.
The CSOP also informed Investors are particularly warned about the high risk posed by inverse products, as the value of such a product could fall by more than 20% in a single trading session, which would wipe out investors’ capital. This warning underlines the fact that these financial products are rather risky.
Hong Kong’s plan to become a cryptocurrency hub
The move to list CSOP’s Bitcoin inverse product is part of Hong Kong’s plans to expand the range of financial instruments offered on the market and strengthen its position as a key node in the cryptocurrency sector. The launch comes months after the city gave the green light to six Bitcoin and Ether-based ETFs.
Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and Treasury (FSTB), revealed that there are plans to review the laws to catch up with the market. The HKMA and the SFC intend to periodically review the requirements for virtual asset activities as needed.
In addition, the HKMA is working on regulating stablecoins. On July 17, the FSTB and the HKMA published the conclusions of the public consultation on the regulation of stablecoins which took place over two months, underlining the determination of the authorities to face this new phenomenon.