Lawyer (Licensing)

We are seeking a Hong Kong-qualified Lawyer with expertise in payment services regulation, licensing, and compliance to lead our license application with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) . This role will oversee the end-to-end licensing process, ensuring full compliance with Hong Kong’s Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (PSSVFO) and related AML/CFT regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the global licensing which including Hong Kong payment business license application with the HKMA.
• Provide legal and regulatory advice on payment services, stored value facilities, remittance, money service operator licensing, AML/KYC, and data protection under Hong Kong law.
• Draft, review, and finalize all licensing application documents, compliance manuals, corporate governance policies, and contracts required for submission.
• Advise management on corporate structuring, capital, and governance requirements to meet HKMA standards.
• Liaise with the HKMA, regulators, external counsel, and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth communication and progress.
• Stay updated on Hong Kong payment services regulatory developments and advise on their impact to the business.
• Support the setup of risk, compliance, and internal control frameworks required for licensing.
• Coordinate with regional legal teams in the Philippines, Singapore, and other jurisdictions for cross-border regulatory alignment.

Qualifications

• Qualified Lawyer admitted to practice in Hong Kong (mandatory).
• 5+ years of post-qualification experience in financial regulatory, fintech, or payment services law .
• In-depth knowledge of the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (PSSVFO) , AMLO , and relevant HKMA guidelines.
• Proven experience supporting or leading HKMA license applications (payment business, SVF, MSO, or similar).
• Excellent communication and drafting skills in English; Cantonese/Mandarin a strong plus.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders, including regulators, consultants, and internal executives.
• Background in fintech, payments, banking, or financial institutions with Hong Kong licensing exposure.
• Experience drafting compliance frameworks (AML, risk, data privacy, consumer protection) .
• Strong professional network within Hong Kong’s legal and regulatory environment.