Relying on present BC Know-how discussions with potential patrons, the corporate would possibly conclude a sale of all or elements of its OSL change.
BC Know-how Group, the father or mother firm and proprietor of Hong Kong crypto change OSL is trying to promote the change. In line with a Bloomberg article referencing individuals conversant in the matter, BC hopes to finish the OSL sale at a HK$1 billion ($128 million) price ticket.
Pleading anonymity, the individuals conversant in the matter mentioned BC has began conversing with a number of potential patrons. Nonetheless, they warned that there is no such thing as a assure that the conversations will finish in a deal.
BC Considers OSL Sale Regardless of the Change’s Place as Money Cow
Along with change companies, OSL additionally presents custody companies and prime brokerage. Moreover, the corporate supplies infrastructure to firms trying to launch crypto buying and selling. Talking on the attainable sale, the individuals hinted that BC Know-how could solely promote elements of OSL and never the whole firm.
A BC Know-how interim report revealed that OSL is the corporate’s main earnings supply. Usually, BC Know-how’s internet loss improved to HK$95 million within the six months ended June, from the greater than HK$300 million recorded for a similar interval final 12 months. Nonetheless, the crypto buying and selling quantity on OSL almost crashed 50% to HK$112.6 billion from the identical interval a 12 months earlier.a
Since August, BC Know-how’s valuation has almost hit HK$1.9 billion, a greater than 100% spike. Nonetheless, BC is mulling a sale of OSL. In the intervening time, neither BC Know-how nor OSL has formally confirmed the sale or supplied a purpose. Bloomberg famous that in response to a question concerning the information, a BC Know-how consultant acknowledged that the corporate doesn’t “touch upon market rumors and speculations.”
OSL and HashKey Change are the one platforms in Hong Kong legally permitted to supply crypto buying and selling companies. In August, OSL announced that it obtained a license uplift from the Securities and Futures Fee (SFC). The uplift permits OSL to right away supply customers crypto buying and selling, beginning with Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
HashKey launched crypto buying and selling companies in Hong Kong on August 28. The change bought two licenses, the Sort 1 and Sort 7. These enabled the corporate to run a crypto buying and selling platform and in addition supply customers automated buying and selling companies. HashKey’s license additionally allowed it to onboard each retail and institutional buyers.
HongKong Regulatory Setting
In June, Hong Kong launched crypto buying and selling tips for retail buyers. In line with SFC’s CEO Julia Leung, the brand new guidelines intention to “present strong investor safety and handle key dangers.” OSL’s Director and Head of Regulatory Affairs Gary Tiu praised the brand new guidelines. In line with Tiu, the SFC’s tips are ok for different markets to make use of.
Talking on the foundations, Tiu famous that the Hong Kong authorities has stipulated strict necessities it expects all service suppliers to observe. Though there are solely two licensed firms in Hong Kong, Tiu famous that competitors is nice for the market. In an interview, the OSL exec mentioned the corporate is at all times prepared for extra competitors. He added that competitors helps innovation and provides customers extra choices.
Tolu is a cryptocurrency and blockchain fanatic primarily based in Lagos. He likes to demystify crypto tales to the naked fundamentals in order that anybody anyplace can perceive with out an excessive amount of background information.
When he is not neck-deep in crypto tales, Tolu enjoys music, likes to sing and is an avid film lover.