The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) reported that the Eastern Magistrates’ Court has fixed 24 July 2025 for a pre-trial review in its prosecution of Mr Chau Pak Yin (previously known as Chau Kin Hei), after he pleaded not guilty to advising on securities without a licence under the Securities and Futures Ordinance. The SFC alleges that between 16 April 2021 and 14 May 2021, Chau hosted a Telegram chat group and carried on a business of advising on securities in Hong Kong without an SFC licence and without reasonable excuse. “Advising on securities” is a regulated activity under Schedule 5 of the Securities and Futures Ordinance, and carrying on a business in a regulated activity without a licence is an offence under sections 114(1)(a) and 114(8). The next court step is the pre-trial review on 24 July 2025.