Exclusive Interview with OSL Group CEO: Exchanges Can Also "Take an Unconventional Path"

Organizer: Babywhale, Foresight News

Currently, there are two exchanges that have obtained virtual asset trading licenses in Hong Kong: OSL and HashKey Exchange.

Many people see news about various tokens being launched on HashKey Exchange across various Web3 media platforms, but similar news about OSL is rare. In fact, OSL is also making significant strides in various aspects, but it seems to be following a path that is different from our conventional understanding of exchanges…

After receiving investment from BGX, Pan Zhiyong took over as the new chairman and CEO of OSL. Whether OSL, which previously seemed "quiet" to the public, can step into the spotlight under his leadership remains to be seen:

Techub News: Mr. Pan Zhiyong, could you please introduce yourself briefly?

Pan Zhiyong: Hello everyone, I am Pan Zhiyong, the chairman and CEO of OSL Group. I have extensive experience in the fintech and digital asset sectors. I am passionate about leveraging technological innovation to drive the development of the financial industry, especially in the emerging field of digital assets. I am glad to represent OSL today on Techub.

Techub News: As one of the only two companies in Hong Kong to have obtained a virtual asset trading license, OSL seems to be less active compared to HashKey Exchange. Could you share with us the current progress and status of OSL?

Pan Zhiyong: In fact, OSL has made a series of significant advancements in the digital asset space over the past period. Firstly, we partnered with UBS Group to complete Hong Kong's first investment-grade tokenized warrant simulated distribution. This innovative project not only showcases our leading position and expertise in the tokenization field but also marks an important milestone in Hong Kong's digital asset landscape. Through our collaboration with UBS, OSL launched the first locally issued investment-grade tokenized warrant, further solidifying our market leadership and bringing new growth momentum to the digital asset market in Hong Kong and globally.

Additionally, we have deepened our long-term partnership with Canopius, a global leader in insurance and reinsurance, and fully upgraded our digital asset platform's custody insurance agreement. This collaboration with the Lloyd's of London underwriting syndicate provides a new custody insurance agreement with a two-year term, higher coverage, and broader scope, significantly enhancing our clients' confidence in our platform. Through these strategic partnerships and innovative efforts, OSL has not only strengthened its capabilities in digital asset security and insurance protection but has also contributed to the growth and development of the entire industry.

These advancements reflect OSL's relentless efforts in driving innovation in digital asset services and strengthening industry compliance and security standards. We are committed to providing a safe, reliable, and fully compliant trading platform to meet the needs of our global clients. In the future, OSL will continue to explore new collaboration opportunities to drive innovation and development in the digital asset industry.

Techub News: OSL has stated that its strategy for 2024 includes four aspects: global business expansion, service innovation, collaborative digital finance development, and adherence to regulatory compliance. Could you elaborate on OSL's specific plans for each point?

Pan Zhiyong: In terms of global business expansion, we are particularly focused on enhancing our retail business. Given that the market is beginning to thrive, we expect to invest more efforts in this area. We are preparing a major initiative. By optimizing our platform and services, we aim to attract a broader retail customer base to meet their needs for digital asset trading.

In terms of service innovation, we will focus on the development and implementation of Security Token Offerings (STO) and Real-World Asset Tokenization (RWA), turning these advanced concepts into practical application cases. We believe that by bringing these innovative products to market, we can not only benefit our business directly but also help educate the market, allowing more people to understand how these products relate to their needs.

In terms of collaborative digital finance development, we will explore and promote new opportunities in the digital asset space through partnerships with traditional financial institutions and emerging fintech companies, particularly in areas such as STO and RWA.

As for adherence to regulatory compliance, we will continue to closely monitor global regulatory trends to ensure that our business not only complies with Hong Kong regulations but also meets the legal requirements of every new market we expand into.

Overall, our strategic plan is comprehensive, aiming to drive OSL's global business development and market education through innovation and collaboration while ensuring safety and compliance. We believe that through these efforts, OSL will continue to maintain its leading position in the digital asset industry.

Techub News: What features will the future OSL exchange have, and what requirements or thresholds will there be for exchange users? What standards will the exchange have for tokens planned for listing?

Pan Zhiyong: In the future, the OSL exchange will continue to emphasize the importance of security, transparency, and user experience. We also encourage clients to invest responsibly and conduct thorough independent research. Given some unfortunate events that have occurred in the past market, we believe it is crucial to educate investors about the importance and relevance of compliance standards.

For each token listed, we adopt a very rigorous approach. Our evaluation covers multiple dimensions, including the background of the issuer, legal and regulatory status, the actual application of the token, as well as technical and market factors. This selective approach ensures that every asset on our platform meets the highest quality standards, which not only benefits business development but also helps enhance the market's understanding and acceptance of digital assets.

Our goal is to maintain high compliance standards while educating the market and providing users with a safe and trustworthy trading environment. In this way, OSL is committed to promoting the healthy development of the digital asset industry, ensuring that our clients can make informed decisions when investing.

Techub News: Besides the exchange, what other explorations does OSL plan to undertake in the digital asset field, and what new businesses will it try?

Pan Zhiyong: Last year, we were very honored to announce that OSL's wholly-owned subsidiary, OSL Asset Management (OSLASM), successfully obtained the first, fourth, and ninth types of asset management licenses from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. This marks an important step for OSL Group towards becoming a comprehensive digital asset service provider. In the future, we plan to launch private equity fund products focusing on blockchain applications, artificial intelligence (AI), and Web3.0 investment opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.

With OSL's unique trading processes and professional experience in the digital asset field, OSLASM aims to enhance knowledge of digital asset business and explore more investment opportunities. We will leverage OSL's long-accumulated technological capabilities, global business partnerships, and deep understanding of blockchain and AI technologies in the digital asset space to assess potential investment opportunities. Our goal is to create long-term sustainable value for clients by investing in emerging companies with blockchain and AI technological capabilities through private equity.

In addition to asset management, OSL is also continuously exploring other new businesses and innovative directions in the digital asset field to ensure we can maintain a leading position in this rapidly evolving industry. We believe that through continuous innovation and expanding our service offerings, OSL can provide clients with more comprehensive and higher-quality digital asset services.

Techub News: What are your expectations and outlook for the future development of Web3 and the local Web3 development in Hong Kong?

Pan Zhiyong: I am very optimistic about the future development of Web3. Especially for Hong Kong, as an international financial center, Web3 not only represents the forefront of technological innovation but also serves as an important bridge connecting the global digital economy. I believe that as technology matures and the regulatory environment improves, Web3 will unleash tremendous potential in Hong Kong and globally.