Founded in 2013, Gatecoin was one of the early regulated cryptocurrency exchanges, focusing on the Asian and European markets. The platform allowed users to trade a variety of digital assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, against fiat currencies like HKD and EUR. The company aimed to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the emerging digital asset economy. However, it faced significant operational challenges, including a major security breach in 2016 and severe banking issues in 2018 that led to its funds being frozen. Unable to recover and process customer withdrawals, Gatecoin was officially ordered into liquidation by the Hong Kong High Court in March 2019.