The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has authorized certain companies, including HashKey and OSL, to provide Ethereum staking services. As CoinMarketCap notes, crypto traders in Hong Kong will now be able to directly receive rewards for holding their assets on the blockchain through said platforms. Previously, it was only possible to use exchange-traded funds to do so.
The SFC's decision provides regulatory clarity for ETH staking activities in the administrative region of China, strengthening investor confidence and security in this area, as noted by the website's experts.
Staking in Ethereum became popular after the network switched to the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism. Instead of energy-intensive mining, this method allows participants of the crypto market to stake their coins in the network and earn interest rewards for their contribution to the security and efficiency of the blockchain.
According to CoinMarketCap experts, the commission's approval of Ethereum staking is a testament to Hong Kong's progressive approach to digital asset regulation. The initiative attracts more businesses and investors to the region's cryptocurrency market, and may also influence the actions of lawmakers in other parts of the world.