The key risks
Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. Digital assets are high-risk. Their prices can fall sharply and quickly, and you may not be able to sell when you want to.
- Digital assets are not legal tender, not bank deposits, and not protected by any compensation scheme.
- Transfers to the wrong address usually can't be reversed.
- Stablecoins can lose their peg to the currency they track.
- Rules about digital assets are still changing and could affect what you can do with them.
You could lose money
The price of a digital asset can rise or fall by large amounts within minutes. Prices can be affected by news, technical problems, changes in rules, and the actions of large holders. Past performance doesn't tell you what will happen in the future.
Markets can also become illiquid, which means there may not be enough buyers when you want to sell. The price you see before you confirm may change before your order is completed, and the quote shown at confirmation is the one that applies.
No deposit protection
Digital assets you hold with us are not covered by the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Scheme or any investor compensation fund. If something goes wrong, you may not get your money back.
Stablecoins
Stablecoins such as USDC and USDT aim to keep a steady value against a currency, usually the US dollar. That value isn't guaranteed. It depends on the issuer holding enough reserves and being able to pay out, and a stablecoin can drop below its target value, sometimes for a long time.
Transfers can't be reversed
- Always check the receiving address and the network before you send. Sending to the wrong address or on the wrong network can mean the assets are lost for good.
- Network fees can change and are paid even if a transfer fails.
- Busy networks can cause delays.
How we hold your assets
Digital assets you hold through H Individual are kept by [custodian name], which is [regulator / licence]. Most assets are kept in offline "cold" storage. Your assets are held separately from our own and the custodian's assets. Even so, there are risks such as cyber-attacks, technical failures or the custodian's insolvency. See Licences & disclosures for details.
Scams
Digital assets are a common target for fraud. Be very careful if someone:
- promises guaranteed or unusually high returns;
- contacts you out of the blue, or asks you to move money quickly;
- asks you to send digital assets to "verify", "unlock" or "protect" your account;
- says they work for H Individual and asks for codes or passwords. We will never ask for these.
If you think you've been targeted, stop and contact us through Help › Report fraud.
Rules can change
Laws and regulations for digital assets are still developing in Hong Kong and around the world. New rules could limit which assets we can offer, in which countries, or how you can use them. If that happens, we'll tell you and explain your options.
Tax
Buying, selling or sending digital assets may have tax consequences depending on where you live. You're responsible for any tax you owe. If you're unsure, speak to a tax adviser.
No financial advice
We don't give investment, financial, legal or tax advice. Any information we provide about digital assets is general and doesn't take your circumstances into account. Decide for yourself whether digital assets are right for you, and get independent advice if you need it.
Before you buy digital assets for the first time, we'll ask you to confirm in the app that you've read and understood this notice.
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