Futu Securities Fully Integrates Proprietary Licensed VATP, Pioneering Asia's First Self-Built Web2 + Web3 Ecosystem

(Hong Kong, March 26, 2026) — Futu Holdings Limited ("Futu" or the "Group") (Nasdaq: FUTU) has reached a significant new milestone: its wholly-owned, self-built virtual asset trading platform (VATP), PantherTrade (Hong Kong) Limited (“PantherTrade”), has announced the commencement of full-scale licensed operations. PantherTrade is poised for imminent integration with Futu Securities, the Group’s retail brokerage platform in Hong Kong, providing essential infrastructure support such as virtual asset trade matching, asset custody, and technical solutions. Through this deep integration between PantherTrade and Futu Securities, the Group is set to launch synergistic dual-track operations for traditional finance and Web3 within a fully compliant regulatory framework.

PantherTrade is the first brokerage-incubated virtual asset trading platform in Hong Kong to receive authorization for full-scale business operations. Its transition to a fully licensed operational status marks a pivotal step in Futu’s Web3 strategic roadmap. By integrating its licensed brokerage services with its virtual asset exchange, the Group has established the first dual-licensed financial platform in Hong Kong and Asia to simultaneously provide "securities brokerage + virtual asset exchange" services. This infrastructure will comprehensively bolster virtual asset trading and related financial services. Leveraging Hong Kong's proactive regulatory environment for Web3 development, Futu maintains compliance as its cornerstone, continuously expanding its diversified investment offerings to serve as a primary hub bridging traditional finance and digital assets.

PantherTrade is Hong Kong's first virtual asset trading platform that is brokerage-incubated and licensed for compliant operations. The commencement of full-scale operations and strategic incorporation into the Futu ecosystem marks a pivotal step in the Group’s Web3 strategic roadmap. This synergy gives rise to a pioneering financial ecosystem in Hong Kong and Asia, being the first to hold dual licenses for "securities brokerage and virtual asset trading platform" services while delivering a fully upgraded suite of virtual asset-related financial solutions. Leveraging Hong Kong's dynamic regulatory environment for Web3 development, Futu maintains compliance as its cornerstone, continuously expanding its diversified investment offerings to serve as a core hub bridging traditional finance and digital assets.

One-stop Full-Link Services for a Seamless Investment Experience, Facilitating Bespoke Virtual Asset Services

Investors can now seamlessly allocate across stocks and on-chain products via the Futubull app, enjoying an efficient cross-asset investment experience. Building on this foundation, PantherTrade will empower Futu Securities to enhance its established private wealth management framework, providing high-net-worth clients with sophisticated, customized virtual asset services, including OTC block trading and exclusive virtual asset products. Through dedicated investment advisors and cross-asset allocation solutions, clients can achieve centralized management and risk control of diverse assets on a single platform.

Utilizing the licensed closed-loop ecosystem formed by Futu Securities and PantherTrade, both entities will provide virtual asset ETF issuers with a one-stop, full-link solution. This coverage spans the entire product lifecycle—from Initial Offering Period (IOP) and "on-chain + off-chain" trading to traditional and virtual asset custody and staking—ensuring operational synergy and enhanced issuance and liquidity efficiency.

Diverse Product Offerings to Address Varied Risk Appetites

Empowered by PantherTrade’s comprehensive virtual asset trading capabilities, Futu Securities will fully realize its service potential in the virtual asset space. Beyond offering the core functions of a licensed virtual asset exchange, the platform further capitalizes on Futu’s unique "Stock+Crypto" synergy. Within a robust compliance framework, it continues to expand its range of asset classes to meet diverse investment strategies and risk appetites.

Futu remains an industry leader in the compliant innovation of tokenized traditional finance. In 2025, the Group partnered with China Asset Management (Hong Kong) to launch a series of tokenized money market funds on Futubull for primary market trading. Furthermore, it collaborated with strategic partners in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Project Ensemble Sandbox to complete a proof-of-concept for "utilizing tokenized deposits in tokenized money market fund transactions".

PantherTrade is actively engaging with regulators regarding the imminent launch of the world’s first compliant tokenized money market fund with 24/7 secondary market trading under rigorous compliance standards. This will represent a major milestone in the convergence of TradFi and Web3, leading to a new paradigm for secondary trading of compliant tokenized assets globally. Looking ahead, PantherTrade will continue to explore bringing more tokenized securities to the secondary market and offer products such as perpetual contracts to professional investors, further enriching its on-chain investment offerings.

Upcoming Launch of Crypto Margin Trading to Enhance Capital Efficiency

Currently, Futu Securities clients can already manage stocks and virtual assets through a single platform, enabling instant fund transfers across different assets with high flexibility. Building upon this foundation, Futu is set to launch securities-backed trading services for virtual asset financing, allowing clients to directly conduct margin trading of virtual assets using their securities and funds as collateral. This enables investors to flexibly increase their exposure to the virtual asset market without liquidating existing positions.

Furthermore, under regulatory guidance, Futu is exploring the inclusion of virtual asset holdings into a unified collateral calculation framework. This initiative aims to provide a more flexible cross-asset margin trading experience, enabling seamless capital liquidity and leverage between traditional finance and crypto markets.

Steve Zeng, Managing Director of Futu Group, stated: “Futu is dedicated to architecting a comprehensive financial ecosystem. With the deep integration of our self-built, compliant virtual asset trading platform, combined with our leadership in brokerage services and the continuous deepening of our product and service offerings, Futu is accelerating its role as a core hub bridging TradFi and virtual assets. We believe this deep integration will not only combine the stability of traditional assets with the innovative potential of digital assets, but will also usher in a new era of seamless cross-asset allocation for investors. While enhancing asset diversification and long-term value appreciation opportunities, this approach will help solidify Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s Web3 and digital asset hub. We remain committed to the highest standards of compliance and security, driven by technological innovation, and continuously promote the synergistic development of traditional and digital finance, creating a smarter, more inclusive, and more forward-looking investment ecosystem for Hong Kong and global investors.”