Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, SFC for short, warned investors about Aurum Foundation. The regulatory body announced that the platform may be operating without the necessary license. It was stated that Aurum Foundation claims on its website that it is registered under the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance and offers virtual asset transactions, futures contracts and derivative product services.
Added to warning list
In its statement, the SFC stated that it confirmed that the Aurum Foundation did not have a license from the institution and was suspected of operating without a license. For this reason, the platform was added to the SFC Warning List, which includes organizations that may pose a risk to investors. The SFC serves as Hong Kong’s primary regulatory body overseeing capital markets and virtual asset activities.
The SFC announced that it confirmed that the Aurum Foundation was not licensed and that there were suspicions that the platform may be operating without a licence.
Aurum Foundation was the last name added to the list of organizations marked in 2026. Other structures that have recently entered the list include exiovip.top, StableStock, Stablestocks Lab Limited, EQU Asset Management, Quant Global Technologies, Globiance HK Limited, Blue Rock Capital Limited, R Coin Wallet and Ju.com.
Control against unlicensed platforms has become tighter
The SFC reiterated its call for investors to check the official list of licensed virtual asset trading platforms before depositing money. The agency also noted that businesses outside the regulation may use social media promotions, false partnership claims or promises of unusually high returns to attract users.
While the regulatory body emphasized that investors should check the official registration of licensed platforms before depositing money, it stated that unlicensed structures often come to the fore with social media promotions and unrealistic partnership claims.
The latest warning signaled that Hong Kong was tightening its supervision of the digital asset space. Authorities have previously taken steps such as platform closure, asset freezing and criminal investigation against unlicensed transaction and investment mechanisms. The JPEX investigation in 2023 is among the most notable examples of this approach.
Under Hong Kong securities legislation, people who engage in illegal financial promotion activities or act as intermediaries without the necessary approval may face the risk of fines and imprisonment. The SFC framework allows for both civil and criminal processes, depending on the severity of the violation. The risk of sanctions increases especially in cases where investor funds are involved or license declarations are untrue.
New license structure is on the agenda
In addition to sanctions, Hong Kong is trying to establish a clearer structure on the licensing side. Authorities published the results of consultations on new rules for virtual asset advisory and portfolio management services in May. Accordingly, it is planned to place consultancy services within the existing financial system under rules similar to Type 4 and portfolio management under rules similar to Type 9.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong aims to increase crypto-linked and tokenized bond issuances in 2026. Regulators are taking steps to modernize capital markets and integrate blockchain infrastructure into fixed income securities transactions.
