HONG KONG, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's first bitcoin and ether futures exchange traded funds (ETFs) ended their first trading day higher on Friday, reflecting investors' interest despite the broader crypto market meltdown.

Julia Leung, the next chief executive of Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) due to start her three-year term on Jan. 1, called for stricter crypto regulation when speaking at the city’s Fintech Week last month.

CSOP Asset Management, an investment advisor based in Hong Kong, will launch Bitcoin and Ether futures exchange-traded funds (ETS) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Friday. However, ahead of their debut, the ETFs have raised a combined $73.6 million, with the Bitcoin futures ETF alone accounting for $53.9 million, Reuters reports.

CSOP Asset Management has received approval to list its Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by Dec. 16.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) is drafting regulatory requirements for the local licensed crypto exchanges, in light of the FTX debacle, according to a report on Monday by Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK.

Hong Kong’s legislative council has <a href="https://www.hkma.gov.hk/media/eng/doc/key-information/guidelines-and-circular/2022/20221207e1.pdf" target="_blank">added</a> a new amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Bill 2022 to accommodate the cryptocurrency industry.

Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed an Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing amendment primarily introducing a licensing regime for virtual asset service providers (VASPs).

Three Hong Kong-based asset management firms have applied for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking Bitcoin and Ethereum futures, traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, for retail investors.

Central bank governors from around the globe are currently in Thailand to discuss the role of central banks amid evolving financial technology. The conference is jointly hosted by the Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

Troubled Hong Kong crypto exchange AAX is now more likely to be unwound than resuming normal operations, its former head of communications Ben Caselin told CoinDesk TV Wednesday in his first interview since resigning earlier this week.