Regulatory Landscape

United States

In the US, BitLicenses are issued by New York State's Department of Financial Services - A person (whether an individual or a company) that engages in Virtual Currency Business Activity requires a BitLicense. Under 23 NYCRR 200.2(q) of the New York Financial Services Law, Virtual Currency Business Activity can fall into one of five types of activities involving New York or New Yorkers: – receiving Virtual Currency for transmission or transmitting Virtual Currency;– storing, holding, or maintaining custody or control of Virtual Currency on behalf of others;– buying and selling Virtual Currency as a customer business;– performing exchange services as a customer business; or– controlling, administering, or issuing a Virtual Currency.

United Kingdom

In UK Crypto asset registration - virtual asset service providers and money laundering regulations (5MLD) registered by Financial Conduct Authority:

A firm or sole practitioner who by way of business provides one or more of the following services, including where the creator or issuer of any of the crypto assets involved, when providing such services:

• exchanging, or arranging or making arrangements with a view to the exchange of, crypto-assets for money or money for crypto assets,
• exchanging, or arranging or making arrangements with a view to the exchange of, one crypto asset for another, orc. operating a machine that utilizes automated processes to exchange crypto assets for money or money for crypto assets.

Hong Kong

Licensed virtual asset trading platform under type 1 license (dealing in securities) and type 7 license (automated trading services) of the Securities and Futures Commission3• The license regulates the activities of the operator of a centralized online trading platform in Hong Kong which provide trading in the security token.

Singapore

Digital payment token services license under the Payment Services Act (PSA) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)4.• The license generally covers the provision of services facility allowing the purchase and sale of any digital payment token in exchange for money or other digital payment tokens.