Futu Founder Responds to New Regulatory Policies: Two-Year Rectification Period Restricts Deposits and Purchases, Compliance Drives Internationalization

Odaily, Li Hua, founder of Futu Holdings, addressed the new cross-border securities business rectification regulations jointly issued by eight government departments on May 22 during the company's Q1 2026 earnings call. He emphasized that this adjustment represents a unified industry-wide requirement. During the two-year rectification period, mainland Chinese clients will not have their accounts closed; only onshore deposits and purchases are restricted, while one-way selling and fund transfers out are permitted.

Li Hua stated that Futu has completely suspended new account openings for mainland Chinese residents, having rejected tens of thousands of non-compliant applications over the past two years. As of the end of the first quarter, mainland Chinese clients accounted for 13% of total clients, 17% of total assets, and contributed approximately 20% of revenue. The company will actively embrace regulation, steadily advance compliance efforts, and expects the new rules will not affect its full-year target of acquiring 800,000 new clients, continuing to expand its international market presence.

According to the financial report, Futu's Q1 revenue was HK$5.856 billion (up 24.7% year-over-year), while net profit was HK$831 million (down 61.2% year-over-year), primarily due to a provision of HK$1.85 billion for a proposed penalty from the securities regulator.