Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has released consultation conclusions proposing amendments to the Securities and Futures Ordinance and the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance. The changes would restrict unauthorized institutions from using names or combinations of terms that could lead the public to believe they are regulated by the SFC or connected with an exchange, clearing house or virtual asset trading platform. Terms covered would include "crypto," "cryptocurrency," "crypto coin," "digital asset," "digital coin," "token," "tokenised assets," "virtual asset," "virtual coin," "exchange," "market" and "trading platform," along with similar combinations and names. The restriction would not automatically apply merely because an entity uses one of the terms in isolation. The proposals received broad market support and are intended to deter unlicensed businesses from using financial terminology to attract investors before conducting illegal activity or money laundering. The SFC plans to finalize the amendment bill and submit it to the Legislative Council; if approved, the provisions would take effect six months after enactment.