Mr. Zhao from Shenzhen has some spare cash and wants to invest in Hong Kong stocks. Last year, he had a smooth trading experience using his Futu account. This year, he wants to increase his position, but he received a notification stating, ’Buy orders for mainland services have been suspended.”
He's confused: Are Hong Kong and U.S. stocks still worth investing in? What's the best way for mainland investors to open accounts without crossing the line? With the 2026 crackdown on cross-border brokerage firms now just two years away, this article explains the current situation.
01
What Exactly Has Changed as a Result of the Rectification Campaign?
On May 22, 2026, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and seven other agencies jointly issued the “Implementation Plan for the Comprehensive Crackdown on Illegal Cross-Border Securities, Futures, and Fund Operations,” establishing a two-year intensive crackdown period to comprehensively ban illegal cross-border business operations by overseas institutions.
Three leading cross-border brokerage firms—Futuhui, Tiger, and Changqiao—have finalized their implementation rules: Effective June 12, 2026, they will suspend new buy orders (opening positions) and fund transfers for existing domestic accounts, allowing only sell orders, closing positions, and fund withdrawals.
On July 1, 2026, the “State Council Regulations on Foreign Investment” came into effect. Specific measures governing foreign investment by domestic residents are to be formulated by the State Council’s competent investment authority, and the legal gaps in cross-border investment are gradually being filled.
02
Opening an account with a mainland Chinese ID is essentially impossible
Currently, Futu, Tiger, and other platforms have stopped accepting new account applications from customers who hold only a mainland ID card. In a circular issued on May 22, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) required mainland residents opening investment accounts in Hong Kong to sign a declaration stating that their investment funds come from lawful sources outside the mainland.
Even stricter measures have been implemented: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority requires all registered institutions to review account opening records from the past three years and close accounts opened with suspicious or forged documents, as well as inactive accounts with zero balances. Accounts opened with forged proof of address may be frozen at any time.
Some Hong Kong-based licensed brokerage firms still accept submissions through their channels, but the “cash-back and referral” recruitment tactics used by intermediaries carry extremely high risks—such accounts may be closed at any time due to issues with documentation and are subject to multiple risks, including legal, foreign exchange, and tax-related risks.
If you’re facing a similar situation—wanting to invest in Hong Kong and U.S. stocks but held back by new regulations for cross-border brokerage firms, and unsure whether the Stock Connect program, a Hong Kong stock trading account, or a QDII account is the best option—feel free to scan the QR code to contact Qicaiying’s online customer service (WeChat/Phone: 18620388671). We’ll help you choose the most compliant path based on your investment amount. Feel free to scan the QR code to contact Qicaiying’s online customer service (WeChat/Phone: 18620388671), and we’ll help you sort out this entire process from start to finish.
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03
Three Paths to Compliance
Article 1: Hong Kong Stock Connect. This is the most reliable and compliant channel for mainland investors, accessible through licensed mainland brokerages, but it has high entry requirements—an average daily asset value of at least 500,000 yuan over the past 20 trading days is required, and participation in Hong Kong IPO subscriptions is not currently supported.
Option 2: A Hong Kong bank card + a Hong Kong-licensed brokerage firm. With a Hong Kong local bank account and a Hong Kong-licensed brokerage firm (such as Interactive Brokers Hong Kong), both the individuals and the funds remain within a closed loop overseas—this is the most mainstream ’third option” for 2026.
Section 3: QDII Funds and the Cross-Border Wealth Management Connect Program. If you want to make indirect investments without having to monitor the market yourself, you can participate through licensed products such as QDII funds and the Cross-Border Wealth Management Connect Program. These options have low entry barriers and require no hassle to open an account, but they do not allow you to participate in new share subscriptions.
04
An Overlooked Loophole
An interesting detail: Platforms such as Futu have recently moved the "Update Overseas Identification" option to a more prominent location. If a client has obtained a valid overseas identification—such as a Hong Kong non-permanent resident ID or Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) status—the account can resume normal trading and deposits after the client completes the update and signs the W-8BEN form.
This means that for mainland residents who have actually obtained Hong Kong residency, the compliance standards for trading through Hong Kong brokerage channels are significantly different—their status changes from ’mainland” to “non-mainland,” making it easier to establish a closed-loop capital flow.
However, this is by no means a shortcut to “obtaining residency for the purpose of trading U.S. stocks.” The Immigration Department has significantly tightened its enforcement against false employment claims and shell companies; furthermore, if you obtain residency solely for investment purposes, the convenience of living and conducting business within the country will be significantly reduced.
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05
The Pitfalls Retail Investors Should Avoid Most
Pitfall #1: Circumventing foreign exchange controls. Using underground money exchanges or illegal currency exchange services to move funds out of the country may constitute foreign exchange evasion, money laundering, or even the crime of illegal business operations—fines are a minor concern, but criminal liability is a serious matter.
Pitfall #2: Trusting intermediaries who promise to “handle account openings” too easily. These accounts can be closed at any time, and since your identity documents have been left in the hands of shady operators, this can lead to endless problems down the road.
Pitfall #3: Neglecting Taxes. Income from Hong Kong and U.S. stocks must be included in your domestic comprehensive income tax settlement. Under CRS 2.0, accounts are highly transparent, and the combined amount of back taxes, late payment penalties, and fines for failing to report accurately will far exceed any potential gains.
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