Reason for this visit

The international foreign exchange market in Hong Kong has been developing since the 1970s. Due to the removal of foreign exchange control in Hong Kong in 1973, there has been a large inflow of international capital, and an increasing number of financial institutions operating foreign exchange business have mushroomed. The foreign exchange market has become more and more active, developing into an international foreign exchange market. The Hong Kong foreign exchange market is an invisible market with no fixed trading venue. Traders conduct foreign exchange transactions through various modern communication facilities and computer networks. Hong Kong's geographical location and time zone conditions are similar to those of Singapore, making it very convenient to trade with other international foreign exchange markets. Participants in the Hong Kong foreign exchange market are mainly commercial banks and financial companies. There are three types of foreign exchange brokers in this market: local brokers, whose business is limited to Hong Kong; international brokers, who expanded their business to the Hong Kong foreign exchange market after the 1970s; international brokers that developed in Hong Kong, whose business has expanded to foreign exchange markets abroad. In order to help investors or practitioners to have a more comprehensive understanding of foreign exchange brokers in Hong Kong, the survey team is going to pay on-site visits to local platforms.

On-site visit

In this issue, the investigation team went to Hong Kong, China to visit the foreign exchange broker Mason Group as planned according to its regulatory address that Portion 1, 12/F, The Center, 99 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong.

The survey personnel came to the destination on March 11, 2023, where a Grade-A business building is situated in the prime business area of Central, with convenient transportation including MTR. In addition to a garden with a pool, there are also plenty of shops, restaurants, banks, and department stores nearby surrounded by a clean environment with huge crowds of people. 

After entering the lobby of the building, the survey team was told that people were not allowed to go to the target floor without a reservation due to a stringent security regulation. According to the staff member of concierge department, visitors were required to confirm Mason Group’s information with the property management department or make a reservation with the company before reaching the target office. Finally, the team failed to pay a special visit the target office.

After an on-site investigation, it is unknown if Mason Group has a physical presence here.

Conclusion

The investigators went to Hong Kong to visit forex broker Mason Group as scheduled, and failed to reach the target floor in the building for a visit to its office. So it is unidentified if the company has a physical business office here. Investors are advised to make a sensible choice based on a comprehensive consideration.

Disclaimer

The content is used for informational purpose only, and shall not be taken as a final order for making a choice.