What are Virtual Assets? How do they differ from traditio...

Getting Started

Victory Securities' getting started guide gives new clients a clear path through the trading platform and investment services. It covers account opening, account setup, deposits and withdrawals, Hong Kong and U.S. stock trading, virtual asset services, and common platform operations. Browse by category to understand each step, key requirements, important reminders, and what to expect next as you build a secure, compliant, and efficient investing experience. As the first licensed financial group in Hong Kong authorized by the SFC for both virtual asset trading and advisory services, we are committed to providing clear, beginner-friendly tutorials to help new investors get started with securities and cryptocurrency trading from scratch.

Beginner's Guide

What are Virtual Assets? How do they differ from traditional securities?

Virtual Assets (VAs) are digital assets recorded and circulated using blockchain technology, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. They operate through decentralized networks rather than being issued by a central authority. Main differences between Virtual Assets and traditional securities include:

Trading Hours: The Virtual Asset market is open 24/7, year-round, whereas traditional markets (e.g., HK and US stocks) have fixed trading sessions.
Price Volatility: VAs are influenced by market sentiment, liquidity, and global events, often resulting in higher volatility compared to stocks and bonds.
Asset Nature: VAs are digital assets that can be traded in fractional units (e.g., 0.00001 BTC), while traditional securities represent equity or debt interests in a company.
Custody Method: VAs are typically stored by licensed custodians (e.g., exchanges) using multi-signature or cold wallets. Traditional securities are held by central clearing systems (like CCASS) or brokers.
Regulatory Framework: VA trading is provided by licensed platforms under the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Traditional securities are governed by the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO).