Crypto.com Scores MPI License in Singapore

Leading cryptocurrency exchange platform Bybit has joined a growing list of competing platforms by applying for a Virtual Asset Trading Platform Operator (VATP) license with the Hong Kong Securities and Exchange Commission (SFC). The application, submitted through the Bybit affiliate business entity Spark Fintech Limited on Jan. 31, is currently under review along with 13 similar VATP applications.Photo by Simon Zhu on UnsplashStrategic licensing playIn the dynamic landscape of cryptocurrency regulations, obtaining a VATP license in Hong Kong is a strategic move. Currently, only two crypto exchanges, OSL and HashKey Exchange, are licensed by the SFC in Hong Kong. OSL secured its license on Dec. 15, 2020, while HashKey Exchange was licensed on Nov. 9, 2022. Under a partnership agreement with OSL, Interactive Brokers has been enabled in its ability to commence trading in Hong Kong. Exchanges who have followed through on the license application process include OKX, Gate.io, and KuCoin, among others. It’s not something that is being taken on without these platforms weighing up the long term potential due to the cost implications. It emerged last year that companies were spending up to $25 million in their efforts to obtain licensing in Hong Kong. VATP vs. VASP licensingThe VATP license holds significance as it allows Hong Kong-based firms to cater to retail customers in contrast to the Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license, which restricts companies to serving professional investors. In Hong Kong, investors must have portfolios valued at a minimum of eight million Hong Kong dollars ($1.03 million) to qualify for professional investor status. Hong Kong has positioned itself as a leading destination for crypto companies, particularly in 2023, owing to its favorable regulatory approach compared to mainland China's stringent crackdown on digital assets. The SFC has introduced crypto-oriented regulations, opening doors for both institutional and retail investors to participate in the crypto market. This regulatory environment has contributed to the city-state's emergence as a hub for crypto activities. Dubai-headquartered Bybit's move to seek a VATP license aligns with the growing trend of crypto companies finding a home in Hong Kong. In a statement, Ben Zhou, the founder and CEO of Bybit, emphasized the city's strategic location and established financial infrastructure as ideal for their operations and serving institutional clients across the Asia Pacific region. Institutional offeringAs part of its strategy to grow its institutional customer base, the company revamped its institutional market offering last October. With that institutional business in mind, it has also formed strategic partnerships, including collaborating with Talos, an institutional digital asset trading technology provider, and joining forces with Copper to offer custodial and settlement services for institutional clients through Copper's ClearLoop service. Bybit, launched in 2018 by Zhou, boasts a substantial user base, serving over 22 million registered users in 160 countries globally. Claiming a daily trading volume of $16.53 billion, Bybit holds the fifth-highest score among spot exchanges worldwide and is the second-ranked derivatives exchange, trailing only behind Binance, according to CoinMarketCap data. The exchange has consistently ranked in the top positions for futures and perpetuals trading throughout the last calendar year.   

Treehouse expands NFT data offering through Origins acquisitionTreehouse, a Singapore-based Web3 data firm, has bolstered its presence in the NFT analytics market with the recent acquisition of Origins Analytics, an NFT analytics platform. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing Treehouse’s NFT product offerings and expanding its capabilities in the flourishing NFT ecosystem.Photo by Andrey Metelev on UnsplashAcquisition synergyTreehouse announced the acquisition on Thursday, via a press release published by PR Newswire. Origins Analytics has distinguished itself as a leader in NFT data analysis. The enterprise had raised $4 million in funding in 2022, going on to grow a community of over 10,000 users. The enterprise-grade platform offers valuable insights and services to NFT enthusiasts and investors.Origins Analytics proficiency in both on-chain and off-chain data analysis had made it a highly sought-after name in the NFT space. With this acquisition, Treehouse is doubling down on its intention to deliver comprehensive NFT analytics services to its clientele.In reorganizing the businesses following acquisition, the founding team of Origins Analytics will be joining forces with Treehouse. Treehouse’s management believes that this synergy of expertise from both companies will ensure a seamless transition and integration of Origins’ capabilities into Treehouse’s existing suite of offerings.Broadening service offeringThe integration of Origins Analytics opens up new avenues for Treehouse’s service portfolio. As a consequence, Treehouse will now be able to offer an algorithmically tagged NFT wallet notification system. This will allow its clients to anticipate and better leverage algorithms to deliver real-time updates on NFT transactions and wallet activity.Treehouse is set to introduce NFT analytics bots designed to provide comprehensive data insights and market trends, empowering users to make informed decisions in the dynamic NFT sector. Additionally, the company will go forward to offer an NFT wallet profiling API, granting users deeper insights into NFT wallet activity and aiding in trend identification and opportunity spotting.CEO of Treehouse, Brandon Goh, conveyed his enthusiasm for the acquisition and the broader NFT analytics market, stating:“Treehouse is excited to make this move into NFT analytics. This strategic acquisition underscores our commitment to our clients, many of whom have NFT exposures. Our team is gearing up to integrate Origins’ system into our flagship product, Hyperion, confident that its technology aligns with our users’ needs and paves the way for us to serve the wider NFT community. Despite the bear market, Treehouse is expanding and is actively looking to acquire synergetic businesses.’’Expansion ambitionsTreehouse’s decision to acquire Origins Analytics comes hot on the heels of its successful seed round in 2021, which saw it raise $18 million from prominent investors, including Lightspeed, MassMutual, Binance, Mirana, LeadBlock, Jump, GSR and Wintermute. This recent acquisition stands as a testament to Treehouse’s ambition to broaden its Web3 portfolio and provide cutting-edge services to its valued clients.While the exact financial terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, Treehouse clearly views this move as a strategic investment in the rapidly expanding NFT market. The company demonstrates confidence in its ability to harness the potential of the NFT sector, even in the face of challenging market conditions.

The South Korean financial authority will establish new policies and guidelines for token listing and provide admirable examples from past listing events for local exchanges to follow, according to local media outlet News1.  So far, fiat-to-crypto exchanges in Korea have been listing tokens on their platforms under a guideline issued by Digital Asset eXchange Alliance (DAXA) – a self-regulatory consultation group comprised of five major Korean crypto exchanges. The existing DAXA guideline outlines basic yet vague instructions, which have allowed exchanges to list tokens largely at their discretion.  However, the new guideline from the financial authority, expected to be released by this June, will mark the government’s first official manual on token listing. This is in line with the upcoming Virtual Asset User Protection Act, which will be effective in July. Photo by Hitesh Choudhary on UnsplashSetting clear guidelines for token listingsThe new guidelines are expected to include examples of past fraud detection and real-time monitoring cases which are deemed to have set precedents for the industry players. Moreover, the financial authority plans to distribute past exemplary cases of token listing as early as April, which is anticipated to set a model listing process and help local crypto exchanges adhere to the law and requirements.  This announcement comes after the local game company Wemade relisted its native token WEMIX on Korbit, one of DAXA's member exchanges, just a year after it was delisted on major exchanges due to its deviant practices in token issuance. The relisting of WEMIX has since raised concerns among crypto insiders about the lack of criteria regarding token listings. More refined token listing process As the crypto market's bullish trend continues, Bithumb and Coinone – the second and third-largest exchanges in Korea – are stepping up their efforts to speed up the listing of new coins. Industry experts expect these exchanges will double down on their efforts in screening and reviewing processes for tokens to align with the new guidelines in the future.  An official from the Korean Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) said that while the anticipated listing process is not legally binding, it will definitely have a more profound impact on local crypto exchanges compared to the self-regulated DAXA guidelines.