Overview

This core curriculum for the Certification Programme for Virtual Asset Professionals (CVAP) comprises three training modules followed by a post-course examination.

Fundamental Modules
The three training modules provide essential knowledge on regulatory, industry, and product related topics, including VA regulations, VA-related products in traditional finance, VA features, risks, and underlying technologies.

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 overview of Hong Kong’s legal and regulatory framework for VA activities, including key principles, obligations, risks, and the consequences of non-compliance.

Post-Training Examination
The post training examination is to assess participants’ general understanding of the subject matters covered in the three core training modules.

Examination Location:
This version of the programme allows learners to take the post-training examination at any of the Global Examination Centres listed.

If you prefer to take the examination in Hong Kong, please click here for details.

Scheduling:
The examination is held monthly. Learners cannot schedule the examination until all three fundamental modules are completed. Once completed, the examination must be scheduled within 90 days of module completion. Please refer to examination schedule for the post training examination date and Step 2 of the Scheduling Guide for detailed procedures.

Re-scheduling:
If learners know in advance that they are unable to attend the examination on their scheduled date, they may reschedule to any available session within the 90-day period. Rescheduling must be completed at least six full days before the originally scheduled examination session.

Objective

By completing the core curriculum, 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
- 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 Assets 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