Crypto companies establishing in Hong Kong forward of a brand new licensing regime for crypto exchanges in June have reportedly discovered some surprising allies within the area — Chinese language state-owned banks.

In line with a March 27 report from Bloomberg, Chinese language banks, together with Shanghai Pudong Growth Financial institution, the Financial institution of Communications Co. and Financial institution of China Ltd., have both began providing banking companies to crypto companies in Hong Kong or made inquiries with crypto companies, in line with “folks with information of the matter.”

One supply claims {that a} Chinese language financial institution gross sales consultant even visited a crypto agency’s principal workplace to pitch banking companies. That is all regardless of an ongoing crypto ban in China.

Cointelegraph reached out to Shanghai Pudong Growth Financial institution, the Financial institution of Communications Co., and Financial institution of China Ltd for additional remark, however didn’t obtain a reply earlier than publication.

Requested for remark, Julia Pang, head of banking relations at Hong Kong-based crypto buying and selling platform OSL, advised Cointelegraph that her agency welcomed “rising curiosity from Chinese language banks in partaking with the regulated crypto business.”

“This improvement is encouraging for each the business and the broader ecosystem, because it demonstrates a maturing understanding of the crypto sector by conventional monetary establishments,” she stated.

A spokesperson for the agency stated they couldn’t at the moment present a touch upon whether or not the agency had been approached by any state-owned Chinese language banks. 

Associated: Hong Kong wants to become crypto hub despite industry crisis

In October final 12 months, the federal government of Hong Kong floated the thought of introducing its own bill to regulate crypto, and Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Fee on Feb. 20 launched a proposal for a regime for cryptocurrency exchanges, set to take impact in June.

In line with a Feb. 20 report, additionally it is understood that representatives from the China Liaison Workplace have been frequenting Hong Kong crypto gatherings.

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