The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has issued new guidelines to relax restrictions on virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs). Announced on November 3, the guidelines include two circulars that expand product and service offerings for VATPs and introduce a 'shared order book' system to enhance global liquidity connections. Key changes include allowing the listing of virtual assets without a 12-month performance history for professional investors and clarifying the distribution scope of digital asset-related products. These measures aim to balance regulatory compliance with market vitality, addressing operational challenges faced by licensed exchanges.