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Former Co-Head of Hong Kong IPO Appraisal Joins Crypto Company

Former Co-Head of Hong Kong IPO Appraisal Joins Crypto Company

Lin Shi, a former Hong Kong stock exchange executive who helped to vet initial public offerings, has joined a cryptocurrency platform that is seeking to provide securitized token listings.

Shi has become chief development officer at Hong Kong Digital Asset EX Ltd., according to a statement. She will oversee research and development, including securitized token offerings and other digital-asset trading products. Shi used to be co-head of IPO vetting at Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.

Shi said in an interview that she will initially be focused on developing ground rules for securitized token listings for her new employer. The firm has applied for a virtual asset license from the Securities & Futures Commission.

One potential source of security token interest is from Chinese companies exiting the U.S. and seeking listings in China or Hong Kong due to rising tensions, Shi said.

While the companies aren’t likely to seek securitized token offerings for themselves, they may have some alternative assets they want to spin out, she added. Illiquid assets with steady income such as trade receivables or rental income from properties are potential targets, she said.

Read More: Hong Kong’s IPO Market Is Being Dominated by China Firms

A spokeswoman for Hong Kong Digital Asset EX said the firm is aiming for its first securitized token offering in the first half of next year.

Shi resigned from the Hong Kong stock exchange earlier in 2020. Hong Kong Digital Asset EX’s founder and chief executive, Gao Han, also previously worked at the Hong Kong stock exchange, according to a biography on his firm’s website.

Hong Kong crypto firm BC Technology Group Ltd.’s OSL unit secured an approval-in-principle from the securities commission on Aug. 21. Once conditions for final approval are met, the firm can operate a brokerage and automated trading service for digital assets, including security tokens.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.