The rise of virtual currency has transformed the financial landscape, turning digital assets into one of the most sought-after investment vehicles of the decade. Bitcoin (BTC), in particular, has captured global attention with its remarkable price trajectory. Starting at just $16,500 in early 2023, it surged to around $44,000 by the beginning of 2024, and hit an all-time high above **$109,000 in February 2025**. Despite significant volatility — including corrections of over 30% from peak levels — Bitcoin has consistently rebounded, reclaiming the $100,000 mark by early May.
This resilience has shattered outdated perceptions that cryptocurrencies are mere scams. Instead, growing regulatory clarity, institutional adoption, and increasing public awareness have legitimized the market. Governments like Hong Kong’s have responded proactively: since launching its Virtual Asset Trading Platform (VATP) licensing regime in June 2023, ten platforms have been officially licensed to operate.
With more legal frameworks in place and products like Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs entering the mainstream, retail investors now have safer, easier access than ever before. Yet, a vast portion of Hong Kong’s population remains unexposed to crypto — representing a massive untapped blue-ocean market. The broker that can capture early trust and deliver a seamless experience stands to gain a dominant position.
👉 Discover how integrated trading platforms are reshaping investor access to digital assets.
Bridging Compliance and Innovation: Tiger Securities’ Strategic Move
Recognizing this opportunity, Tiger Securities secured approval from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) to offer virtual asset trading services. This regulatory green light allows them to provide a compliant environment where users can trade major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum with confidence.
Their flagship platform, Tiger Trade, enables smooth buying and selling of digital assets with near-zero cost: no commission, no platform fee — only a minimal 0.05% transaction fee, among the lowest in the industry. But what truly sets Tiger apart is its full-cycle functionality.
Unlike many platforms that restrict withdrawals or require converting crypto to fiat before cashing out, Tiger supports seamless deposit, trading, and withdrawal of actual crypto tokens. This "true crypto" experience is rare in traditional brokerage environments and addresses a critical gap for users who want control over their digital assets.
Why Integrated Brokerage Platforms Are Gaining Ground
Historically, crypto investors turned to dedicated exchanges like Binance or Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN). These platforms offer deep liquidity and wide coin selection — advantages that local brokers initially couldn’t match.
However, they operate in isolation from traditional financial markets. You can’t easily pivot from selling Bitcoin to buying Apple stock or U.S. Treasury bonds on these platforms. That’s where hybrid models like Tiger’s shine.
By combining traditional securities trading with crypto capabilities, Tiger enables true portfolio diversification. Investors can move fluidly between asset classes — capturing gains in one market and reallocating capital instantly to another. For those less comfortable with direct crypto ownership, the platform also supports crypto-related ETFs, offering exposure without custody risks.
This convergence fills a crucial market void: a single, regulated gateway to both digital and conventional finance.
Regulatory Safety vs. Unlicensed Risk
One of the biggest concerns for Hong Kong investors remains security. Many popular crypto exchanges still operate without SFC licenses. While convenient, these platforms pose real dangers.
The collapse of FTX — once the world’s second-largest exchange — serves as a stark warning. Although customers are now receiving partial compensation after lengthy restructuring, many lost access to their funds for over two years. During that time, major asset classes soared: Bitcoin, gold, and U.S. equities all hit record highs. The opportunity cost was enormous.
Even worse, some smaller exchange failures resulted in total losses — no recovery at all.
Beyond platform risk, there’s another hidden danger: banking friction. Banks may freeze accounts linked to unlicensed crypto platforms under anti-money laundering (AML) suspicions. A regulated broker eliminates this risk entirely.
Tiger Securities’ compliance with both Hong Kong and U.S. standards adds an extra layer of credibility. Listed on the NASDAQ in 2019, the company underwent rigorous scrutiny by the U.S. SEC — a rare achievement for fintech firms with Asian roots. This dual compliance underscores strong governance, transparency, and operational scale.
👉 See how regulatory-compliant platforms are building investor trust in digital finance.
Technology as a Game-Changer in Brokerage
Traditional Hong Kong brokers often rely on physical branches and legacy systems. While they offer familiarity, their digital experiences lag — plagued by high fees, slow execution, and clunky interfaces.
Tiger takes a different approach: tech-first innovation. By eliminating commissions and automating processes, they’ve redefined user expectations. Even with strong competition like Futu dominating market share locally, Tiger is betting on superior technology and user experience to win long-term loyalty.
It’s a strategy reminiscent of how JD.com challenged Meituan in food delivery — not through scale alone, but through speed, efficiency, and customer-centric design.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it safe to trade cryptocurrency through a brokerage?
A: Yes — especially if the broker is regulated by authorities like the Hong Kong SFC or U.S. SEC. Licensed platforms follow strict custody, reporting, and anti-fraud protocols, significantly reducing investor risk compared to unregulated exchanges.
Q: Can I withdraw actual cryptocurrency from Tiger Securities?
A: Yes. Tiger supports full deposit and withdrawal of supported cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum — a key differentiator from many other brokers that only allow fiat settlements.
Q: Are there any fees for crypto trading on Tiger Trade?
A: There are no commissions or platform fees. A small 0.05% transaction fee applies per trade, making it one of the most cost-effective options available.
Q: How does a Bitcoin ETF differ from buying actual Bitcoin?
A: A Bitcoin ETF tracks the price of Bitcoin but doesn’t give you ownership of the underlying asset. Buying real Bitcoin via a platform lets you hold, transfer, or use the coin directly — with more control but also greater responsibility for security.
Q: Why choose a broker with both stocks and crypto instead of a standalone exchange?
A: Integrated platforms allow seamless fund allocation across asset classes. You can sell crypto and immediately buy stocks or bonds without moving money between apps — improving efficiency and reducing timing risk.
Q: Does Hong Kong regulate cryptocurrency exchanges?
A: Yes. Since June 2023, all virtual asset trading platforms operating in Hong Kong must obtain a license from the SFC. This ensures better investor protection, transparent operations, and compliance with AML rules.
The future of investing is converging — blending traditional finance with digital innovation. As virtual currency becomes a core part of diversified portfolios, brokers that offer secure, compliant, and seamless access will lead the next wave of financial evolution.
👉 Explore next-generation trading platforms that merge crypto and traditional assets seamlessly.