The Times Australia
News From Asia

.

ChangeNOW Plans to Apply for a Hong Kong SFC Crypto Trading License After Rapid User Growth in the City

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 8 March 2023 - ChangeNOW, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, has released statistics on its users in Hong Kong, whose numbers have soared in the past few weeks.

Furthermore, the exchange announced its plans to apply for a license from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to provide crypto trading services in the city under the new regulatory framework.

image_1.jpeg

ChangeNOW's metrics indicate that Hong Kong users are highly interested in the platform. Its Hong Kong user base has grown by 62% in February compared to January, according to its figures, showing a steady upswing in demand.

Based on a survey of 389,345 people across 26 countries, the Finder 2022 Cryptocurrency Adoption Index ranks Hong Kong fourth for its adoption of cryptocurrencies. According to it, there are approximately 1.4 million crypto owners in Hong Kong, which represents a 21% ownership rate, higher than the global average of 15%.

The sudden rise in popularity of ChangeNOW in Hong Kong is most probably triggered by a combination of several factors. These include ChangeNOW's good name, extensive product and service infrastructure, an innovative customer service model, along with low fees and fast transaction times.

ChangeNOW has a well-earned reputation for being a trustworthy crypto exchange. This is especially after the case in late 2021 when it returned over $15 million in crypto to Compound, which lost over $89 million due to a system bug. In total, ChangeNOW was able to recover over $19 million in crypto funds.

Over 3.5M users worldwide have taken advantage of the platform's ecosystem built over 6.5 years of operation. Aside from its native non-custodial NOW Wallet, ChangeNOW also offers a portfolio tracker and crypto payment service. In addition, it provides an affiliate program and custody solutions for businesses.

Beginners will find the platform’s interface easy to use, and Mandarin localization aims to make it accessible to Chinese-speaking Hong Kong residents. ChangeNOW allows Hong Kong users to buy, sell, and exchange more than 800 crypto assets and 40 fiat currencies, including HKD and USD, through a mobile and web-friendly interface.

However, ChangeNOW's key feature is its non-custodial nature. The crypto industry is still reeling from the FTX/Almeda scandal, involving Bankman-Fried and his fellow founders stealing $8 billion from FTX customers' crypto deposits for Alameda's own purposes. This is a major reason for ChangeNOW's growing popularity in Hong Kong, as its non-custodial model ensures that there is no risk of users’ funds being misused in any way.

Additionally, the platform’s fixed rate options along with the fees built into the exchange rate, make it a popular choice among users who prefer to know what they're getting up front.

Although other exchanges have also announced expansion plans in Hong Kong, the number of Hong Kongers exchanging assets with ChangeNOW continues to rise. This highlights the fact that ChangeNOW's user base is growing in the region despite the increased competition.

With its licensing plans in Hong Kong, ChangeNOW further cements its commitment to bringing cryptocurrency exchange services on an international scale in an efficient, compliant manner.

Hashtag: #changeNOW, #wallet, #exchanger #buy #crypto



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...