Overview

This course consists of three modules, forming the core of the Certification Programme for Virtal Asset Professionals (CVAP). They provide essential knowledge on regulatory, industry, and product topics, including VA regulations, VA-related products in traditional finance, VA features, risks, and underlying technologies. These modules align with SFC's examination requirements to ensure practitioners develop a comprehensive understanding of these areas.

Module 1: Covers the VA market landscape, key use cases, risks, and products. It also introduces blockchain fundamentals, smart contracts, and the differences between centralised and decentralised finance.

Module 2: Focuses on common VA-related products, their benefits, risks, and implications for the traditional financial market.

Module 3: Provides an in-depth look at Hong Kong’s legal and regulatory framework for VA activities, including key principles, obligations, risks, and the consequences of non-compliance.

Objective

By completing this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the VA market landscape, key VA types, associated risks, products, and services.
- Explain blockchain technology, including its features, consensus mechanisms, and applications.
- Describe smart contracts, their applications, risks, and wallet types (custodial vs. non-custodial).
- Compare centralised and decentralised finance, and outline VA product features, risks, and implications for traditional finance.
- Summarise Hong Kong’s VA regulations, including licensing, investor protection, and compliance requirements.
- Identify AML/CFT measures, reporting steps, and consequences of non-compliance with VA regulations.

Content

Module 1: Introduction to Virtual Assets
- Overview of VAs
- The technologies underlying VAs

Module 2: Overview of VA-related Products in Traditional Financial Market
- VAs beyond cryptocurrencies
- Benefits and common risks of the products
- VA-related Products
- Implication of such product to the traditional finance world
- What you should be aware as a financial practitioner

Module 3: Overview of the Virtual Asset Regulatory Landscape in Hong Kong
- Overview of tokenisation and virtual asset regulations in Hong Kong
- VA regulations and exclusions under AMLO
- Risks and categorisation of VAs
- VA-related activities and licensing regime
- Misconduct in VA Activities

Who should attend

The target audience includes professionals pursuing the CVAP, such as:

- Virtual asset (VA) dealing or advisory practitioners
- VA-related product distributors
- Private or retail wealth managers
- Traditional finance professionals with an interest in virtual assets