The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong that Defi Banking as referred to in the website (https://defibanking.biz/) is not authorised by the Monetary Authority (MA) under the Banking Ordinance (the Ordinance) to carry on banking business, or the business of taking deposits, in Hong Kong; and Defi Banking does not have the approval of the MA to establish a local representative office in Hong Kong under the Ordinance.
 
     Given the global nature of the Internet, members of the public are reminded to verify the status of any organisation making use of the Internet to offer bank accounts to, or to solicit deposits from, the public in Hong Kong prior to transferring any funds to, or providing any personal information to, any such organisation.
 
     A list of institutions which are authorised by the MA under the Ordinance to take deposits, or carry on banking business, in Hong Kong is available on the HKMA's website (www.hkma.gov.hk). Members of the public may also check the status of any entity which appears to be soliciting deposits from the public in Hong Kong, or holding itself out as a bank or deposit-taking company in Hong Kong, by emailing the HKMA's public enquiry service (publicenquiry@hkma.gov.hk).
 
     Anyone who has transferred monies or conducted any financial transaction, or who has provided personal information, in response to, or via, the above website should contact the Police at any local Police Station or by calling the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Ends/Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:50

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