HKEX to Introduce “Kill Switch” to HK Securities Market

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) announced today that it will introduce a new risk management service – "Kill Switch" to the Hong Kong Securities Market for subscription by Exchange Participants (EPs) on an optional basis from 1 November 2021.

"Kill Switch" is a safety mechanism to allow an EP subscriber to quickly cancel outstanding orders by broker number through a dedicated OCG-C session in contingencies. The same broker number will subsequently be suspended throughout the trading day to prevent further order submission.

Such broker number will resume trading either next trading day automatically, or on the same trading day only upon receipt of written request by Responsible Officer of relevant EP, with explanations of usage and resumption to the satisfaction of the Exchange. Interested EPs should follow the existing OCG-C session application process to subscribe a "Kill Switch" session, which will be subject to a monthly fee of HK$6,000 for each session.

EPs can refer to "Kill Switch" service details in the application form and explanatory notes which will be available on HKEX website from 1 November 2021. Similar to other OCG-C sessions, EPs who subscribe to "Kill Switch" sessions will be required to complete the necessary conformance test to confirm their system readiness before rollout. Amendments to the Rules of the Exchange with regards to "Kill Switch" will also be published in due course.

EPs are reminded that "Kill Switch" should be used during emergencies only but not on a day-today basis. EPs may be required to provide more information on any "Kill Switch" activation upon request by the Exchange.