TMTPOST -- Hong Kong is mulling over the approval of new cryptocurrency - and virtual - asset - related products, including derivatives and margin lending for certain investors, according to the city's financial regulator. Securities and Futures Commission CEO Julia Leung said on Wednesday that these plans are being evaluated as Hong Kong aims to position itself as a regional digital - asset hub and expand its services to investors. "We are considering derivative products for professional investors, margin lending for certain customers," Leung said at Coindesk's Consensus Hong Kong 2025 conference, referring to digital assets. Hong Kong's Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on Wednesday that the city's regulators have issued nine digital - asset - trading - platform licences so far, and Leung noted that there are eight more applications under consideration. The government is also working to advance the regulation of stablecoins, Chan said. Hong Kong first drew up a plan to become a virtual - asset hub in 2022, following Beijing's blanket ban on all crypto - related transactions in mainland China the previous year. Since then, it has launched the first spot crypto exchange - traded funds in Asia, among other initiatives.