Hong Kong Expands Tax Incentives to Include Virtual Assets, Targeting Institutional Investors

The Hong Kong government plans to include virtual assets in a new set of tax concessions, according to a recent CoinDesk report. Christopher Hui, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, made the announcement during the Hong Kong Fintech Week on October 28.

This initiative aims to attract institutional investors and expand the range of eligible investment types.

Under the new tax rules, qualified investors will gain access to taxation benefits for regulated products. These reforms are part of Hong Kong’s strategic agenda to support the growth of its cryptocurrency sector. 

Since 2022, the local authorities have been actively seeking to accelerate the development of digital assets by supervising crypto activities more rigorously.

Expanding Tax Concessions

Besides virtual assets, the proposed tax breaks could also apply to non-corporate private companies, emission derivatives, and allowances, and interest in non-corporate private companies. Hui pointed out that broadening the scope of tax incentives could significantly foster market development.

Currently, Hong Kong offers tax concessions mainly to privately offered funds and family-owned investment holding vehicles. 

Hui noted that requests for tax breaks on virtual assets are frequently raised by stakeholders in the financial sector. This move aims to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction.

Regulatory Updates on the Horizon

In addition to the proposed tax incentives, Hui mentioned that regulatory updates for the cryptocurrency industry are being planned. These updates will focus on stablecoin issuers, over-the-counter (OTC) trading services, and custodians. 

The goal is to create a more robust regulatory environment that can accommodate the rapid growth of the virtual asset market. However, specific details regarding the new tax breaks and eligibility requirements are still unknown.

Currently, the taxation benefits in Hong Kong include zero tax on interest for private equity managers and a 16.5% tax exemption on profits generated from crypto activities. Furthermore, eligible investors may benefit from exemptions on stamp duties and other costs. 

Partnerships Fueling innovation

Adding to the momentum in Hong Kong’s crypto landscape, stablecoin issuer, Circle, has partnered with Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT). This collaboration aims to explore blockchain-based customer loyalty solutions for merchants in Hong Kong. 

According to Jeremy Allaire, co-founder and CEO of Circle, this partnership will transform customer loyalty strategies, helping businesses unlock the potential of blockchain technology. 

“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to helping businesses unlock the potential of blockchain technology to create value-driven customer experiences, redefining loyalty programs and providing merchants with the tools they need to thrive in the digital economy,” Allaire stated.