Shares of Jie Li Jiao Yi Bao (08017) climbed more than 7% during afternoon trading, reaching an intraday high before settling at a 6.6% gain to HK$1.13 by the market close. Turnover hit HK$12.65 million amid the rally. This uptick follows the company's announcement that its wholly-owned subsidiary, TradeGo Markets, will apply to Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for an upgrade of its existing Type 1 (securities trading) license. The enhanced authorization would enable virtual asset trading services through comprehensive accounts on regulated platforms.

This strategic move aligns with Hong Kong's evolving regulatory framework for virtual assets, positioning the group to expand its service offerings in digital assets and related sectors. The initiative aims to diversify client investment options amid growing market demand. TradeGo Markets secured both Type 1 and Type 7 regulated activity licenses from the SFC in February 2023. Since then, its operations have accelerated significantly, with notable participation in IPO underwritings, secondary market placements, and multiple pre-market dark pool transactions for new listings.

The subsidiary's robust performance has substantially boosted group revenue streams. Securities brokerage and trading services soared 18.8-fold year-on-year, while underwriting income jumped 12.4-fold over the same period. Financial services now contribute 53% to overall revenue, reflecting the segment's transformation into the group's primary earnings driver.