Services
Compliance advisory across the full regulatory lifecycle, from initial setup through ongoing obligations and enforcement response.
Tailored to SFC-regulated firms, TCSP licensees, virtual asset businesses.
Each engagement is shaped around the client's regulatory profile, activity type, and current compliance posture. The services below represent our core advisory areas.
Licensing
- SFC licence applications across all licence types
- Licence condition uplift
- Licensing and notifications of licensed individuals
- Regulatory strategy for new market entrants
Compliance Frameworks
- Policy and procedure manual drafting
- Compliance programme design and gap analysis
- Internal controls review and documentation
- Regulatory obligation mapping
- Compliance function design for new entities
AML & KYC
- AML/CFT programme design and review
- Client onboarding procedures and risk rating
- Transaction monitoring controls and infrastructure
- MLRO support and advisory
- Virtual asset-specific AML controls
Ongoing Advisory
- Retained regulatory monitoring and updates
- Ad hoc regulatory questions and guidance
- Circular and consultation paper reviews
- Response drafting for regulatory correspondence
- Board and senior management briefings
- Personal Account Dealing Review
Inspection & Enforcement
- Pre-inspection readiness reviews
- Internal audit and control testing
- Post-inspection remediation planning
- Remediation report
Training
- Compliance training
- AML/CFT training
- MIC training
- Tailored training for specific regulatory changes
- Board-level regulatory briefings
Who we advise.
Our advisory covers SFC regulated activities, TCSP licence, and global virtual asset businesses, including the following activities:
Capital Markets & Brokerage
- Capital Markets (ECM/DCM)
- Stock & Futures Brokerage
- Placing & Underwriting
- Research & Advisory
- Discretionary Account Management
- Fund Management
Virtual Assets
- Virtual Asset Exchange
- Virtual Asset Custody
- Virtual Asset OTC Trading
- Market Making
Frequently asked questions.
What SFC licence types do you advise on?
We advise on all SFC regulated activity types including Type 1 (dealing in securities), Type 4 (advising on securities), Type 6 (advising on corporate finance), Type 7 (providing automated trading services), and Type 9 (asset management), as well as VASP licences for virtual asset businesses.
What is involved in an SFC licensing application?
An SFC licensing application requires establishing the applicant's fitness and properness, demonstrating adequate internal controls and compliance infrastructure, appointing qualified Responsible Officers, and submitting a detailed business plan. The process typically takes several months and involves ongoing correspondence with the SFC.
What is a VASP licence and who needs one?
A Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence is required under Hong Kong's Anti-Money Laundering Ordinance for any person operating a virtual asset exchange in Hong Kong or actively marketing to Hong Kong investors. The regime is administered by the SFC and carries AML, KYC, and ongoing reporting obligations.
What does an AML compliance programme typically include?
A compliant AML programme under the Hong Kong regime includes a written AML/CFT policy, client risk assessment and onboarding procedures, transaction monitoring controls, suspicious transaction reporting procedures, staff training, and an independent audit function. For virtual asset businesses this extends to blockchain analytics and travel rule compliance.
What should a firm do when it receives an SFC inspection notice?
On receipt of an inspection notice, a firm should immediately review its current compliance posture against SFC expectations, conduct an internal gap analysis, prepare relevant documentation, and brief key personnel. Early preparation significantly affects the inspection outcome. We provide pre-inspection readiness reviews and can assist from notice receipt through to post-inspection remediation.