Trading tournaments in Hong Kong

As of February 2026, there are 12 SFC-licensed Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATPs) in Hong Kong, including HashKey Exchange and OSL Digital Securities. The SFC operates a public list of licensed VATPs which is updated as new licenses are granted or existing ones are modified.

Hong Kong officially launched the Virtual Asset Trading Platform licensing regime in June 2023, allowing licensed exchanges to offer retail trading services. November 2025 SFC circulars expanded what licensed VATPs can offer (additional product categories) and enabled order-book integration with global affiliate VATPs for shared liquidity — significant for cross-border tournament events.

Offshore exchanges (Bybit, OKX international, Binance.com) generally need to operate via SFC-licensed local entities to legally serve Hong Kong residents. Some have HK-specific subsidiaries; others are restricted. Always check the SFC public VATP list and the specific platform's HK eligibility before depositing.

Hong Kong operates a territorial-source tax system. Tournament prize income with a Hong Kong source is reportable as ordinary income; foreign-sourced prize income is generally not taxed for individuals (the territorial rule). Crypto-asset gains follow the same source-based framework. Consult a Hong Kong tax advisor for situations above modest thresholds.

Yes — FTMO, FundedNext, Apex Trader Funding and most major offshore prop firms accept Hong Kong residents per their public terms. Funding payouts to HK bank accounts use standard remittance flows. Verify each firm's current jurisdiction list before paying for an evaluation.