Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau has published a commencement notice that sets 16 November 2026 as the start date for core provisions of the uncertificated securities market regime. The notice brings into force Part 2, except section 9(2), and Part 5 of the Securities and Futures and Companies Legislation Amendment Ordinance 2021, which establish the main framework for removing paper documents from the evidence and transfer of legal ownership of prescribed securities. The bureau said the regime is intended to reduce reliance on paper and manual processes and improve market infrastructure, efficiency, investor protection and transparency. Six pieces of subsidiary legislation made in 2025, covering the uncertificated securities market, approved securities registrars, stock market listing rules, open-ended fund companies, and related amendments to Schedules 5 and 8 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, will also take effect on 16 November 2026 under their own commencement provisions. The commencement notice will be tabled before the Legislative Council on 6 May.

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