Fintech development and the
corresponding Government support in
Hong Kong
Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor(IT)
HKCONNECT 2016, 27 October
Challenges faced - Fintech development in HK
▸Outdated legislation and compliance
requirements
▸Talent crunch
▸Lack of investment
2
3
Source: EY UK FinTech: On the cutting edge: An evaluation of the international FinTech sector, 2015
Source: South China Morning Post, May 2016
Fintech development in other jurisdictions
Singapore
Monetary Authority of
Singapore (MAS)
formed new FinTech
& Innovation Group
responsible for
regulatory policies
and development
strategies
(July 2015)
UK
Financial Conduct
Authority (FAC) -
Regulatory Sandbox:
a ‘safe space’ in
which businesses can
test innovative
products, services,
business models and
delivery mechanisms
in a live environment
(2015)
Australia
Australian Securities
Exchange (ASX)
works with a
developer of
blockchain
technology to
upgrade its share
registry system
(2016)
4
5
Hong Kong
2016 - Year of
Fintech ?
New measures
announced in Budget
2016-17
What’s New?
Promotion
▸ Formulating a Vision for Fintech Development
▸ An Annual Premier Fintech Event
Facilitation
▸ A “One‐stop Office” for Fintech Startups
▸ Flagship Fintech‐themed Programme
Regulations
▸ To establish dedicated contact points to help the
Fintech community better understand the regulatory
landscape
Funding
▸ To improve dissemination of information on funding
sources
Talents
▸ To encourage young talents to consider entering the
Fintech sector
▸ To enhance dissemination of information on
immigration policy for talents outside Hong Kong
6
Fintech regulation
• Mobile Payment License
• Review legislation - Equity crowdfunding & P2P
lending
• Sandbox or trial schemes
A balance between facilitating innovation
and consumer protection
7
Observation: Hong Kong - catching up
▸ Innovative technologies – Blockchain, robotics and AR etc. are being
implemented or explored by the banking industry
▸ More e-payment options emerging
▸ The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) unveiled (2016)
- HKMA-ASTRI Fintech Innovation Hub to support research and
adoption of Fintech by the industry
- Fintech Supervisory Sandbox (FSS) to facilitate the pilot trials of
Fintech and other technology initiatives
- Cybersecurity Fortification Initiative (CFI) to raise the level of
cybersecurity of the banks in Hong Kong
8
Remains to be seen:
Can we compete with Singapore and leverage China market
advantage?
Can our regulatory approach evolve fast enough to bring
competitive advantage?
Innovate or Perish
10
• Legislation – review and update
• Boost investment
• Local adoption
• Tax incentives
• Nurture Fintech talents
11
THANKS!
charlesmok@charlesmok.hk
Facebook: Charles Mok 莫乃光
www.charlesmok.hk

161027 hkconnect 2016_fintech_development

  • 1.
    Fintech development andthe corresponding Government support in Hong Kong Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor(IT) HKCONNECT 2016, 27 October
  • 2.
    Challenges faced -Fintech development in HK ▸Outdated legislation and compliance requirements ▸Talent crunch ▸Lack of investment 2
  • 3.
    3 Source: EY UKFinTech: On the cutting edge: An evaluation of the international FinTech sector, 2015 Source: South China Morning Post, May 2016
  • 4.
    Fintech development inother jurisdictions Singapore Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) formed new FinTech & Innovation Group responsible for regulatory policies and development strategies (July 2015) UK Financial Conduct Authority (FAC) - Regulatory Sandbox: a ‘safe space’ in which businesses can test innovative products, services, business models and delivery mechanisms in a live environment (2015) Australia Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) works with a developer of blockchain technology to upgrade its share registry system (2016) 4
  • 5.
    5 Hong Kong 2016 -Year of Fintech ? New measures announced in Budget 2016-17
  • 6.
    What’s New? Promotion ▸ Formulatinga Vision for Fintech Development ▸ An Annual Premier Fintech Event Facilitation ▸ A “One‐stop Office” for Fintech Startups ▸ Flagship Fintech‐themed Programme Regulations ▸ To establish dedicated contact points to help the Fintech community better understand the regulatory landscape Funding ▸ To improve dissemination of information on funding sources Talents ▸ To encourage young talents to consider entering the Fintech sector ▸ To enhance dissemination of information on immigration policy for talents outside Hong Kong 6
  • 7.
    Fintech regulation • MobilePayment License • Review legislation - Equity crowdfunding & P2P lending • Sandbox or trial schemes A balance between facilitating innovation and consumer protection 7
  • 8.
    Observation: Hong Kong- catching up ▸ Innovative technologies – Blockchain, robotics and AR etc. are being implemented or explored by the banking industry ▸ More e-payment options emerging ▸ The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) unveiled (2016) - HKMA-ASTRI Fintech Innovation Hub to support research and adoption of Fintech by the industry - Fintech Supervisory Sandbox (FSS) to facilitate the pilot trials of Fintech and other technology initiatives - Cybersecurity Fortification Initiative (CFI) to raise the level of cybersecurity of the banks in Hong Kong 8
  • 9.
    Remains to beseen: Can we compete with Singapore and leverage China market advantage? Can our regulatory approach evolve fast enough to bring competitive advantage?
  • 10.
    Innovate or Perish 10 •Legislation – review and update • Boost investment • Local adoption • Tax incentives • Nurture Fintech talents
  • 11.