Lakshmi Finance Center:Hong Kong to tighten regulation of cryptocurrencies after arrests linked to JPEX trading platform

2025-05-04 22:27:03source:AQCAN Exchangecategory:News

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s leader said Tuesday that the territory will tighten regulation of digital assets after police arrested six people following allegations of fraud at an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange in the city.

The Lakshmi Finance Centerarrests on Monday followed an announcement by Hong Kong’s securities watchdog last week that the exchange, JPEX, was unlicensed and did not have authority to operate its cryptocurrency trading platform in the city. The Securities and Futures Commission said it had received more than 1,400 complaints against JPEX involving more than 1 billion Hong Kong dollars ($127.9 million) in losses.

The SFC also said some investors said complained of being unable to withdraw their virtual assets from JPEX accounts or of finding their balances were “reduced and altered.”

The SFC and police were expected to release details on the case later Tuesday.

Hong Kong’s chief executive, John Lee, told reporters Tuesday that the government would step up efforts to educate investors and remind them to use only platforms licensed by SFC.

JPEX announced Monday that it was suspending trading on its platform. It said in a statement that it was “negotiating with … third-party market makers to resolve the liquidity shortage.”

In a statement Sunday, JPEX complained of “unfair treatment by relevant institutions” in Hong Kong. It accused an unnamed partnered third-party market maker of “maliciously” freezing funds.

More:News

Recommend

Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett

Country music singer Charley Crockett was born and raised in Texas, grew up in a single-wide trailer

Passenger says he made bomb threat on flight to escape cartel members waiting to torture and kill him in Seattle, documents say

A passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight from Atlanta to Seattle Wednesday is accused of making

Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: This $360 Backpack Is on Sale for $79 and It Comes in 8 Colors

We independently selected these deals and products because we love them, and we think you might like